US998 unlocked and rooted.
For a completely offline device, is it possible to disable gps amd cell radios in the firmware and/or flash an incompatible gps version and still have the device boot? Something that makes it impossible to enable them without reflashing the entire phone.
Can the service provider be prevented from pushing app updates? Changed providers and an emergency alert app was installed whereas before it was hidden away in settings.
Thanks!
You can try flashing an incompatible modem, which is the communications driver for WiFi, cell and, I think, GPS services. People occasionally do it accidentally and lose services until they flash the correct modem.
Perhaps an easier solution would be to see if you can find an app that can do it, though... either a business app that can disable all communication for security purposes or a parental control app so that parents can restrict usage on their kids' phones. Either way, you might be able to lock it with a password so that you can enable it from time to time for emergencies or to update the apps through the Play Store. I know that you said that you want it to be impossible to undo without reflashing the phone, but perhaps a less drastic solution would suit you better.
As for the service provider pushing app updates, if you disable the cell service by either of the above methods, they shouldn't be able to do that. You can also simply remove the SIM card, instead, if you're using one. Finally, you can install a 3rd-party ROM, like Havoc-OS, which I'm using. You might consider that if you really just want nothing to do with service provider or LG bloatware. There's no need to disable communications and make an offline-only device if all that you're really trying to do is make your service provider and LG leave your device alone.
010110000110010001100001 said:
US998 unlocked and rooted.
For a completely offline device, is it possible to disable gps amd cell radios in the firmware and/or flash an incompatible gps version and still have the device boot? Something that makes it impossible to enable them without reflashing the entire phone.
Can the service provider be prevented from pushing app updates? Changed providers and an emergency alert app was installed whereas before it was hidden away in settings.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congratulations on successful bootloader unlock and root. Thanks for telling us the model number.
Osprey00 said:
You can try flashing an incompatible modem, which is the communications driver for WiFi, cell and, I think, GPS services. People occasionally do it accidentally and lose services until they flash the correct modem.
Perhaps an easier solution would be to see if you can find an app that can do it, though... either a business app that can disable all communication for security purposes or a parental control app so that parents can restrict usage on their kids' phones. Either way, you might be able to lock it with a password so that you can enable it from time to time for emergencies or to update the apps through the Play Store. I know that you said that you want it to be impossible to undo without reflashing the phone, but perhaps a less drastic solution would suit you better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good options. The only caveat would be NOT to use T-mobile H932 modem. It is so incompatible it will brick a US998. For US998, flashing one of the H930 variant modems (H930, H930G, H930D, H930DS) over US998 would probably do what he wants. Very good suggestion.
I can't remember where there's the TWRP flashable modem files are, but I know they exist. Because some LOS users have had use them.
Osprey00 said:
There's no need to disable communications and make an offline-only device if all that you're really trying to do is make your service provider and LG leave your device alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing he's trying to prevent any digital footprint for his own reasons and from something being enabled on the backend without his knowledge. Like how it's been proven turning off "location services" still doesn't prevent Google from tracking you...
"Something that makes it impossible to enable them without reflashing the entire phone."
Thanks for the replies!
ChazzMatt said:
I'm guessing he's trying to prevent any digital footprint for his own reasons and from something being enabled on the backend without his knowledge. Like how it's been proven turning off "location services" still doesn't prevent Google from tracking you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ChazzMatt is correct.
Want to confirm that gps is part the main radio firmware?
Probably not advisable but can the modem file be successfully edited?
Related
Long story short. I want to turn my old Android phone (HTC Inspire 4G) into a tracking device to catch a thief. The area near my house is plagued by motorcycle thieves who swipe bags from walking pedestrians. My idea is to carry a bait bag with an old, broken laptop in it and sew my phone to the inside of the bag where it will not be found. For my idea to work best, I need software that can perform specific functions, and so I come here for recommendations on how to accomplish this.
I need the device to operate in an ultra-low power mode where it is only listening for text messages and all sound is turned off. I don't know how long I will have to walk around with the bag before the thieves takes the bait, so I need the phone to conserve as much power as possible until the actual tracking operation begins.
Once the bag is in the thieves hands, I need to be able to control and activate the phone via text message. The phone must be in Silent Mode so that the thieves don't hear the incoming text messages. Additionally, I would not want the screen to light up or for any other message indicator to possibly shine through the bag's fabric and tip them off about the presence of the phone.
First, I will be using a "disposable" prepaid SIM card (lets call this the trackingSIM). I don't want to use my actual postpaid account with unlimited internet (lets call this mySIM). I need mySIM to communicate with the trackingSIM. So the problem is that the phone WON'T have unlimited internet access when it is stolen. I'll need to activate that remotely. Usually this is done by sending a specific text message to the Carrier with a code that activates unlimited internet for a period of time and deducts the cost from a balance on the SIM. But since I won't actually have the phone in my possession, I'll need some kind of program that allows me to remote control the phone and tell the phone to send a text message on its own. In summary, I need to send a text message from mySIM to the trackingSIM which will then trigger the trackingSIM to send another text message to a specific number. (like, if I send "SENDTXT 5551212 internets" from mySIM to trackingSIM, then the trackingSIM phone would resend a text message "internets" to the number 5551212)
Once internet is activated, the Carrier sends a text message response confirming that the phone now has unlimited internet access for a specified time period. It would be nice if the phone could forward that reply from trackingSIM to mySIM so that I know the task is complete.
Now that the phone has internet access, I need to actually turn on the 3G radio and the GPS antenna (which should have previously been off to conserve battery) also via text message. Something like "GPS ON" and "3G ON" from mySIM to the trackingSIM would be great. And if the phone could reply with a confirmation text, that would be even better.
The last step would be to activate the tracking software. I need some kind of tracking software that would also activate via text message, and provide a confirmation text if possible.
Once the tracking software is activated, I need the following features:
Realtime tracking via a website. If it can work well on a mobile website as well (like an iPhone's Safari or Chrome browser), even better
Complete tracking history. Even if the signal dies, I want to know their last known location. If they move during the night and I have to sleep, I don't want to lose any data because I was wasn't watching every single moment. I plan to take all this information to the local police, so I need as much data as possible.
Once I have located the thieves loation and brought the police in, I need to be able to find the phone and bag as quickly and easily as possible. I'd like to be able to bring the phone OUT of Silent Mode, again with a text message, and activate an alarm at the highest possible volume setting, again with a text message.
Optionally, once I have Internet access established on the phone, I could possibly accomplish some of these tasks through another form of remote access such as SSH.
Optionally, if I could also somehow initiate a telephone call with the phone once it has reached its "final" location, then I could use the phone as a microphone as well and potentially get more evidence regarding the thieves' names, intentions, or guilt. This would also need to occur in complete silence as I would not want the thieves to hear a ring or see any flashing lights or lit up screen. Somehow I would need the phone to automatically answer a phone call that met some predetermined signal.
Optionally, it would also be nice to be able to initiate a voice recording remotely for the same reasons as 6. A voice recording might be easier to initiate and would probably have better audio quality (but would only be useful after the phone was recovered, whereas 6. could aid in the actual recovery).
Most of what you want can be accomplished very, very easy. If you can root the phone. You would be able to Install avast antivirus. Avast has an anti-theft feature that you can activate from a phone AND/OR the internet. You can lock the phone so no one else can use it, send a text or command from a computer to TRACK THE DEVICE. It will automatically turn on GPS and send location as often as you choose. Avast works on smart phones only. That is the downside. Avast does the alarm thing also. "THIS PHONE HAS BEEN LOST OR STOLEN" with a siren.
Sent from my LIQUIDSMOOTH SGH-T989
Even better I could build an app for you to do that as avast won't be able to start 3g send message to carrier etc etc it'll need Internet access up and running before hand also no call records while a custom made app can do all of this
If you like the idea just drop me a pm
Sent from my GT-S5302 using Tapatalk 2
Hit Thanx Button if i helped you!
Honestly, what do you need 3G for? It doesn't help track. GPS and Wi-Fi do that. Watch your cost. Avast has already been written. Call logs? What for. Check out the play store for an app called M-SPY. You text the phone and it will call you back. Avast does the rest.
Sent from my LIQUIDSMOOTH SGH-T989
fathertomany said:
Honestly, what do you need 3G for? It doesn't help track. GPS and Wi-Fi do that. Watch your cost. Avast has already been written. Call logs? What for. Check out the play store for an app called M-SPY. You text the phone and it will call you back. Avast does the rest.
Sent from my LIQUIDSMOOTH SGH-T989
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to track the phone while it is on the move on the motorcycle in real-time. How could I do that with Wi-Fi? Additionally, free and open unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots are not available everywhere. There is no guarantee that the phone would be able to connect and send data once it reached its final destination wherever the thieves live/work. In fact, even with 3G there is no guarantee as there are always cellular dead spots.
Thanks for the recommendations.
My point exactly. Avast uses available Wi-Fi along with GPS to track in real time, displayed on a map. I don't believe you can use 3g for that. Avast has the siren, tracking and other features. My-spy has the call feature. Avast will automatically turn on GPS for tracking if it is off. Turn on a siren when you choose, for recovery. Text is for if you want to use your cell. You can do everything from a computer. The thieves will not know, as all this will be hidden, unless you lock the phone. M-Spy can review the text and call you back so you can listen to the noise around the phone without the perps knowing. These two together fit what it sounds like you need. Avast is free for the FULL version, forever. I am not sure about the cost of M-SPY.
sent from my LiquidSmooth SPEED T989
fathertomany said:
My point exactly. Avast uses available Wi-Fi along with GPS to track in real time, displayed on a map. I don't believe you can use 3g for that. Avast has the siren, tracking and other features. My-spy has the call feature. Avast will automatically turn on GPS for tracking if it is off. Turn on a siren when you choose, for recovery. Text is for if you want to use your cell. You can do everything from a computer. The thieves will not know, as all this will be hidden, unless you lock the phone. M-Spy can review the text and call you back so you can listen to the noise around the phone without the perps knowing. These two together fit what it sounds like you need. Avast is free for the FULL version, forever. I am not sure about the cost of M-SPY.
sent from my LiquidSmooth SPEED T989
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if there is no Wi-Fi available then your solution won't work? That sounds far too risky for my plan to work. The country where I live does not have ubiquitous free Wi-Fi access, especially in the shadier parts of town where the thieves are likely to reside.
ZippyDan said:
So if there is no Wi-Fi available then your solution won't work? That sounds far too risky for my plan to work. The country where I live does not have ubiquitous free Wi-Fi access, especially in the shadier parts of town where the thieves are likely to reside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really don't want to rely on public wifi anyone can mess with them
Sent from my GT-S5302 using Tapatalk 2
Hit Thanx Button if i helped you!
You do not use Wi-Fi for tracking, really. You use GPS and my recommended setup will work
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH T989
I use avast, and I'm not sure if gps is all that's needed or not.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons
Is your phone rooted with antitheft root installed? Avast uses GPS and Wi-Fi, if Wi-Fi is available, to track the phone. Research it.
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH T989
fathertomany said:
Is your phone rooted with antitheft root installed? Avast uses GPS and Wi-Fi, if Wi-Fi is available, to track the phone. Research it.
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH T989
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol.
I'm a little shocked at someone asking me if my phone is rooted, I'll admit I was literally speechless for a second haha.
What I meant was that I have it installed already but haven't checked out the tracking yet. I tried it once with the gps turned off at work, and wasn't sure how to turn the gps on to see the unit. Theoretically, gps is one way, isn't it? It grabs the satellite signal that's beamed down and triangulates the position. So it would need some sort of data to send that data back to the end user online. Given that wifi access points are not guaranteed among criminals, I'd cast my vote for finding some way to turn on mobile data from the app also.
Btw, he's using an HTC Inspire most likely running my Rom. Yes, I'm sure it's rooted.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons
ClearD said:
Lol.
I'm a little shocked at someone asking me if my phone is rooted, I'll admit I was literally speechless for a second haha.
What I meant was that I have it installed already but haven't checked out the tracking yet. I tried it once with the gps turned off at work, and wasn't sure how to turn the gps on to see the unit. Theoretically, gps is one way, isn't it? It grabs the satellite signal that's beamed down and triangulates the position. So it would need some sort of data to send that data back to the end user online. Given that wifi access points are not guaranteed among criminals, I'd cast my vote for finding some way to turn on mobile data from the app also.
Btw, he's using an HTC Inspire most likely running my Rom. Yes, I'm sure it's rooted.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HAD to ask. rotflmao.:silly:
when you installed avast, did you install the antitheft feature ROOTED? IF SO, Access the app on your phone and view all of the settings for it.Also, go online to AVAST and login to your account. Avast will automatically turn on the GPS (NOT Wi-Fi??) on the target phone, SECRETLY. you can set it to report position at any interval. Avast has many more functions, also. maybe the one you mentioned.
AGAIN - LMAO HAHAHAHAHA.:cyclops:
P.S.
M-SPY does the phone listening feature.
I tried it when I got it (yes root installed with anti theft in the system partition) but I couldn't get it to work the first time for some reason. I'll try again tomorrow night and see if it works now. It's been a few versions back.
If it does work as advertised, I'd count avast as one of the easiest and most cost effective options you can find.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons
ClearD said:
I tried it when I got it (yes root installed with anti theft in the system partition) but I couldn't get it to work the first time for some reason. I'll try again tomorrow night and see if it works now. It's been a few versions back.
If it does work as advertised, I'd count avast as one of the easiest and most cost effective options you can find.
Sent using XDA-funded carrier pigeons
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EXACTLY!! IT'S FREE.
Make sure you have setup ALL of the options. ANTI-THEFT and SETTINGS options. It is way easier to send commands from a computer but the "friends" numbers can send the text. on smart phones with a decent size screen, you can send the commands from the browser. one last thing- make sure avast has administrative rights. either in settings or anti-theft options.
fathertomany said:
You do not use Wi-Fi for tracking, really. You use GPS and my recommended setup will work
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH T989
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if you just don't understand how these things work ... the phone uses GPS to track itself: yes. But how to get the GPS data from the phone to me in a different location? The GPS data must be sent wirelessly from the phone.
This requires WiFi or a Cellular (4G, 3G, Edge, etc) connection.
I cannot track the phone with a GPS connection alone.
I can't rely on WiFi to be available wherever the thieves end up.
ZippyDan said:
I'm not sure if you just don't understand how these things work ... the phone uses GPS to track itself: yes. But how to get the GPS data from the phone to me in a different location? The GPS data must be sent wirelessly from the phone.
This requires WiFi or a Cellular (4G, 3G, Edge, etc) connection.
I cannot track the phone with a GPS connection alone.
I can't rely on WiFi to be available wherever the thieves end up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I told you about the app but you weren't interested bad luck bro
Sent from my GT-S5302 using Tapatalk 2
Hit Thanx Button if i helped you!
The regular data on the phone will work fine. No need for faster data transfer such as Wi-Fi or 3g. Remotely turning on and off the data can be googled. Maybe there is already a way to do that.
go to the google market and search for XTRASEC PHONE LOCATOR. Sounds exactly like what you want!!
Sorry if I come across rude but try the search function. Everything I have posted to you, I used GOOGLE to find.
Sent from my LIQUIDMOOTH Speed T989
just FYI followup to anyway looking to do the same...
Android Lost (androidlost.com) is an incredible tracking tool and completely free! (though I recommend supporting the developer by buying the "premium" version, all the "premium" features are also available for free)
Also, Avast! Anti-theft as recommended above is also great, and it does report over 3G or Edge or WiFi
I have samsung galaxy S4, how the hell do i disable the E911 GPS ?
I dont want to remove the ICON only..
i want to be able to Disable the E911 GPS.
I have my phone rooted, what next??
this is the newer samsung ME7 From Verizon
???
Anybody??? There has to be a way to disable the E911 GPS right????
from sigurei
Sorry but there is no way to disable the E911 without rewriting that capability in the ROM.
If you turn off all your location services it will make the fix less accurate, but it will still fairly good depending on how many cell towers are within site.
Also, unless you call 911 anybody accessing you location through your cell provide needs a court order.
Also, and you kinda touched on it, but anytime your phone is on VZW knows within a mile or so, where you are. And with a court order they can still turn over where your cell pings. If you are that paranoid about it, don't use a cell, or use burners. I don't like the government anymore than anyone else, but if you use a cell you're open to tracking regardless.
Yup
What about using the gps location with xprivacy? Seems that i can set it to any random location..
Would that actually interfere with gps ?
gymfreak81 said:
What about using the fake gps location with xprivacy? Seems that i can set it to any random location..
Would that actually interfere with gps tracking ability with e 911?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubtful. Because I think they would still be able to triangulate your position via cell towers. I could be wrong, but I don't see it working. Even if 911 can't access triangulation data, your wireless provider still has access to that.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4
gymfreak81 said:
What about using the fake gps location with xprivacy? Seems that i can set it to any random location..
Would that actually interfere with gps tracking ability with e 911?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely not.
E911 uses GPS only as a secondary source, and the operators can access your approximate location directly from the carrier.
Using XPrivacy will help with any standard APKs that you protect it with, however.
As has already been mentioned before, you really shouldn't worry about someone tracking you unnecessarily without a court order, as it's a severe punishment to do so, and most people won't bother with the risk.
If you have some legitimate fear for your life, turn off the phone and stop using one that's tied to your name/address - or just stop using one altogether (safest).
just want some privacy.. we have none anymore.
vt0r said:
Definitely not.
E911 uses GPS only as a secondary source, and the operators can access your approximate location directly from the carrier.
Using XPrivacy will help with any standard APKs that you protect it with, however.
As has already been mentioned before, you really shouldn't worry about someone tracking you unnecessarily without a court order, as it's a severe punishment to do so, and most people won't bother with the risk.
If you have some legitimate fear for your life, turn off the phone and stop using one that's tied to your name/address - or just stop using one altogether (safest).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which of these can be stopped and totally disabled never to work again on an older phone,, and which can be stopped by flashing the rom, and which can be stopped at the software level using a root, . . Bluetooth, wifi, emergency 911, cell tower broadcast, GPS, . . and which ones can not be stopped, crippled, disabled if any. Ths can not have even the slightest transmission possibilities. Just curious which one can be stopped at root level, and which can be stopped by flashing the rom
coldcrypto said:
Which of these can be stopped and totally disabled never to work again on an older phone,, and which can be stopped by flashing the rom, and which can be stopped at the software level using a root, . . Bluetooth, wifi, emergency 911, cell tower broadcast, GPS, . . and which ones can not be stopped, crippled, disabled if any. Ths can not have even the slightest transmission possibilities. Just curious which one can be stopped at root level, and which can be stopped by flashing the rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You ever heard of Airplane mode?
It Disables​ all the phone's radios
Simple toggle it on and then remove the toggle (or just hide it)
Sent from my LEX727 using Tapatalk
clsA said:
You ever heard of Airplane mode?
It Disables​ all the phone's radios
Simple toggle it on and then remove the toggle (or just hide it)
Sent from my LEX727 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not secure enough, this is for a device in which at its core security is its utmost, I once had wifi off, bluetooth off, and in airplane mode, and while it was sitting on the table made a sound, i said "what was that", looked, and a google account had in the background turned on my wifi, The hardware itself must be disabled, preferably through a rom flash, and basic linux kernal set up with no programming for data transmission hardware installed, hence I would like to know what can be disabled through rooting, and which through flashing,
coldcrypto said:
Thats not secure enough, this is for a device in which at its core security is its utmost, I once had wifi off, bluetooth off, and in airplane mode, and while it was sitting on the table made a sound, i said "what was that", looked, and a google account had in the background turned on my wifi, The hardware itself must be disabled, preferably through a rom flash, and basic linux kernal set up with no programming for data transmission hardware installed, hence I would like to know what can be disabled through rooting, and which through flashing,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seems your looking for a calculator and a pencil with a pad of paper... good luck with that
The core
clsA said:
You ever heard of Airplane mode?
It Disables​ all the phone's radios
Simple toggle it on and then remove the toggle (or just hide it)
Sent from my LEX727 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the kernals most core, These are the rules. ( 1 ) cannot transmit data, does not know how, Can not be done ( 2 ) Only the user can access the program.
These rules can not be broke. I believe this Linux, open source, kernel can be built
rule (3)
coldcrypto said:
At the kernals most core, These are the rules. ( 1 ) cannot transmit data, does not know how, Can not be done ( 2 ) Only the user can access the program.
These rules can not be broke. I believe this kernel can be built
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rule (3) must be able to be done on an older existing android phone.
clsA said:
seems your looking for a calculator and a pencil with a pad of paper... good luck with that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a base for other applications, Sounds like no one here has the answer though, i just thought xda would know how, thats all, guess not,
coldcrypto said:
Its a base for other applications, Sounds like no one here has the answer though, i just thought xda would know how, thats all, guess not,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their phones they have radios .. it's not that hard to flash a rom with no radio support
you never mention what device it's even for
Pick a phone
go to that section
see if theirs a custom rom and kernel for it
download it and alter the zip to remove the drivers
clsA said:
Their phones they have radios .. it's not that hard to flash a rom with no radio support
you never mention what device it's even for
Pick a phone
go to that section
see if theirs a custom rom and kernel for it
download it and alter the zip to remove the drivers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its a personal offline wallet, . .thank you for that info, . .so it can be done? Stop all data except through QR screen display, and only the user can open it. . . .with a flash root and install . . (3) was optional, its the program I want. , again, thank you for that info.
Hello.
I recently purchased an unlocked AT&T model V10 and am using it on Metro PCS.
The phone is having a hard time making and receiving calls. It will take a long time for an outbound call to begin (or will not even go through after a lengthy wait), and many calls are not being received and going straight to voicemail.
The problem and severity is intermittent, sometimes it will work without issue and other times no calls can be made or received for some time.
The data connection appears to be solid whenever it is being used, it just appears there is a problem with the phone trying to negotiate from a data connection to a GSM cellular connection.
Any input would be greatly appreciated as I have been searching around and have not had any luck. I've tried reseating the SIM, factory resets, etc.
Thank you.
MAybe wrong rom on it? Did you try reinstall software with lg bridge?
klemen241 said:
MAybe wrong rom on it? Did you try reinstall software with lg bridge?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running the factory AT&T install, so no custom rom - I will try LG Bridge and see if there are any available updates.
Thanks for the tip, I haven't done much with LG phones before - I am certainly open to rooting the phone / trying a custom ROM to see if that will sort things out. It just seems like either a setting (I tried all different APN settings to no avail) or a software issue as it does work, just not consistently.
en5 said:
I'm running the factory AT&T install, so no custom rom - I will try LG Bridge and see if there are any available updates.
Thanks for the tip, I haven't done much with LG phones before - I am certainly open to rooting the phone / trying a custom ROM to see if that will sort things out. It just seems like either a setting (I tried all different APN settings to no avail) or a software issue as it does work, just not consistently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are custom roms for h901, other than that no custom roms
klemen241 said:
there are custom roms for h901, other than that no custom roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I noticed that I was having trouble finding an update past H90021w online and the phone shows no update available (I was previously on H90020j).
So now Wi-Fi calling is an option, however it does not let me enable it, it just sits on "Processing" until eventually it gives me an error connecting with the network. I turned it on manually through the SVC menu and it shows it as enabled in the settings, but I don't think it is actually working as it doesn't give any indication as to whether or not it s on a Wi-Fi call.
Looks like I'm running out of options and may need to go with a different phone.
en5 said:
Thanks, I noticed that I was having trouble finding an update past H90021w online and the phone shows no update available (I was previously on H90020j).
So now Wi-Fi calling is an option, however it does not let me enable it, it just sits on "Processing" until eventually it gives me an error connecting with the network. I turned it on manually through the SVC menu and it shows it as enabled in the settings, but I don't think it is actually working as it doesn't give any indication as to whether or not it s on a Wi-Fi call.
Looks like I'm running out of options and may need to go with a different phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea you had bad luck with this one, v10 is great phone, but no custom or anything. I am luchy i have 960a, so everything works haha
First, to clarify, I have the Samsung Galaxy A21 (there is no dedicated forum, so it seems we A21 users must use the A21s forum.) Although this may at least somewhat apply to the A21s (it may actually have the advanced service menu, so may at least have that as an option. The A21 is considerably more gutted in even the most basic functionalities.) One bit of confusion on my part is the actual SoC is a MediaTek, not a Samsung Exynos. However, all warnings regarding these exploits list "A21" so I'm assuming that the modem may still be a Samsung modem. Though of course it may just not apply and they really mean the A21s (these models are so completely different they really should not have been given the same number,) I have no choice but to assume the A21 is included until someone says otherwise.
The main vulnerabilities are these four:
CVE-2023-24033
CVE-2023-26496
CVE-2023-26497
CVE-2023-26498
Apparently there are 18 in total, but these are the ones that allow "zero click" remote code execution (presumably with at or near root access.) One thing I've been unclear about though is if you have to actually accept the call or not. The implications of the warnings seems to be that all they need is your phone number to initiate the exploit (which would mean that bad actors could just simply use an automated system to run through basically every number if they really wanted.) Though to me it would make the most sense if it actually required you to accept the call. (I'd really like some clarity on this as that would mean simply rejecting any call not known to be safe would usually be sufficient.) For now I have to work with the assumption it truly is "zero click" as they describe it.
Given that VoLTE is normally not an option the user can toggle (especially in recent ROMs) there seems to be basically no way to turn it off these days. Phones used to sometimes have a toggle in the cellular settings, but not anymore it seems (probably due to it being basically required now.) I tried to enter the advanced service menu (*#26833662#), but it said not supported when I did. The standard service menu does not have any options or controls (let alone anything regarding VoLTE.) I remember in the past on an older (less locked down) phone I did have options to enable/disable VoLTE (though it didn't work due to the hot flaming mess that is VoLTE -- it really should have been required to be standardized and enabled across all devices physically capable of it before the 3G cutoff) via one of the service menus, but unfortunately this one doesn't seem to have that. Is there any other way I can disable it and at least keep my cellular access? I realize this means data only, but that leaves at least some possibilities such as VoIP calling like Google Voice and, more importantly, does leave me access to online things when I don't have WiFi.
It should go without saying, but I do have WiFi calling off, so no issue there.
Bump. There is still no security update on mine. There may never be. I wouldn't be shocked at all if it's abandoned at this point. Even just a data only connection would have to be sufficient until I can come up with a better phone solution if that's what it takes, but I need to at least be able to use it for some basics on data, so removing the SIM isn't going to work.