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With news that AT&T will be bringing the S3 to the states this month, it prompts this question.
I currently have an international i9100 and love it. If I were to get the S3 via AT&T (at the subsidized price) would I be able to root, flash, and do anything "good" with it? Or would I be an indentured servant to AT&T?
AT&T locked the bootloader of HTC One X so I'm not really sure if they'll let you use it freely.
But then people found a way to unlock the bootloader so I think even if AT&T locked it, people would find a way around it.
And you'd also get 4G LTE, 2GB RAM but a Snapdragon S4 processor.
The S4 seems promising but it's only dual core.
AT&T has yet to make it so you cant root a samsung device. The locked bootloader is common with HTC devices so I wouldnt go off of that but I have had the S1 the S2 and the Note and all has been unlocked with little to no issues.
I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.
mfratella said:
I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.
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Of course they will say that, whether or not it's true is another story, and like mentioned it won't really matter if it is or isn't
Thanks. Once I get it I'll be back in here to get some direction with it. I'm fine with dealing with the international unlocked versions, but never tried anything with a carrier branded device.
mfratella said:
I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.
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We will just have to wait and see... I don't believe much customer care says.. Hell
l the one i talked to didn't even know about the pre order starting yesterday.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
mfratella said:
With news that AT&T will be bringing the S3 to the states this month, it prompts this question.
I currently have an international i9100 and love it. If I were to get the S3 via AT&T (at the subsidized price) would I be able to root, flash, and do anything "good" with it? Or would I be an indentured servant to AT&T?
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Click to collapse
Never actually heard of any samsung phone from at&t shipped with locked bootloader. Mostly is HTC phones, and they are known to do that even on unsubsidized phone till a while ago after getting bash from the android community.
and imo, the only real advantage to get a branded phone is you get easy warranty. if you bricked your phone for good during a flash or there is some problem with display, you can just walk in and get a replacement in seconds. LTE or not, or the 2GB ram, I dont think it's going to matter that much in daily use unless u use ur phone as a hot spot or something.
As far as development goes... usually international version is always better, may not be so obvious back in the galaxy S days since most of the US variant are still using the same backbone with minor variation. But ever since the S2 that need snapdragon to support LTE.... development pace kinda forked from there.
Hi guys, so I want to sell my vibrant, bought from tmobile 2 years ago on value/payment plan. It is paid off. Currently using it on tmo monthly 4g. I want to get it unlocked to sell. I know nothing about unlocking phones. Where do I start? Before I sell it, I will be restoring it to to factory, un-rooted state. If I call tmo and they unlock it, does that only work with the software currently on it, or is it permanent?
Call them or talk to them via their website. They well send you a code and the procedure to unlock it. It will be permanent.
Just bought the Verizon moto e at best buy and have it working on t mobile but want to install custom roms.
Sadly it does not. Just bought mine today as a secondary device.
I am just hoping that someone can do something to unlock that bootloader (could the stagefright vulnerability be used to do some things since it does have some root capabilities?) or at least get the device loki'd.
Christopher876 said:
Sadly it does not. Just bought mine today as a secondary device.
I am just hoping that someone can do something to unlock that bootloader (could the stagefright vulnerability be used to do some things since it does have some root capabilities?) or at least get the device loki'd.
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i bought it for the same reason at best buy to uses as a backup for myself or a friend of family member. Just like you i was curious about rooting and custom roms for it. Sadly i found out by trying to follow the tutorial to unlock the bootloader and when i went to Motorola website for the unlock code it said my device couldn't be unlocked :crying:
Before i picked up the Moto e i seen on XDA the Verizon variant could be used on any service so i didn't even think twice to see if it was unlock-able before trying.
Just now wile typing this it actually got me thinking and the thought of the Verizon variant being able to be used on. got me wondering.
Under the hood of the Verizon Moto e is the hardware exactly the same as the other variants or are there more radios for the Verizon network? I ask this because if its the same would there be someway to install the international variant bootloader on the Verizon variant and then unlock it?
if that sounds very stupid im sorry lol. I don't know very much about unlocking devices besides how to follow tutorials of how to unlock a device. But i do know how to flash and install things im kind of a flashaholic thats one reason i looked to unlock this device right away
Verizon as is already annoys me by how there devices have locked bootlaoders thankfully someone found a workaround for the G3, but seeing how this is a prepaid device that customers pay in full for i don't see why they have to lock it down...
$9.99 from bestbuy, it's the best budget phone. I made it work under t-mobile.
clapper66 said:
i bought it for the same reason at best buy to uses as a backup for myself or a friend of family member. Just like you i was curious about rooting and custom roms for it. Sadly i found out by trying to follow the tutorial to unlock the bootloader and when i went to Motorola website for the unlock code it said my device couldn't be unlocked :crying:
Before i picked up the Moto e i seen on XDA the Verizon variant could be used on any service so i didn't even think twice to see if it was unlock-able before trying.
Just now wile typing this it actually got me thinking and the thought of the Verizon variant being able to be used on. got me wondering.
Under the hood of the Verizon Moto e is the hardware exactly the same as the other variants or are there more radios for the Verizon network? I ask this because if its the same would there be someway to install the international variant bootloader on the Verizon variant and then unlock it?
if that sounds very stupid im sorry lol. I don't know very much about unlocking devices besides how to follow tutorials of how to unlock a device. But i do know how to flash and install things im kind of a flashaholic thats one reason i looked to unlock this device right away
Verizon as is already annoys me by how there devices have locked bootlaoders thankfully someone found a workaround for the G3, but seeing how this is a prepaid device that customers pay in full for i don't see why they have to lock it down...
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Can't overwrite the bootloader since it is locked, the partition is locked to read. However, I was thinking, since it has that 5.1 update, it must've written to the system partition and which case I wonder if a fake update of some kind be used. Kingoroot also somehow can mount and write to the system partition through their rooting process, if someone can figure how it does that, there is hope for this version.
There is also the possibility of someone developing loki for this phone too, which would bring at least some custom action to this.
Verizon does some weird things, both it and AT&T, I just don't understand them. AT&T locks down the device and sometimes they even get updates that were released for the phone. Verizon declines other phones which people want. Anyways, we only paid $10 for phone, couldn't say no to that, right? Unlocked SIM and if they do find a workaround, just cherry on top of the icing.
litan1106 said:
$9.99 from bestbuy, it's the best budget phone. I made it work under t-mobile.
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+1 - cant beat the price.
With so many of these out there now, I think its only a matter of time until someone figures out the bootloader and rom questions.
wogeboy said:
+1 - cant beat the price.
With so many of these out there now, I think its only a matter of time until someone figures out the bootloader and rom questions.
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I hope so, would really suck to stay on 5.1 and miss out on any security updates, etc.
But from the looks of scanning through part of the forum, no seems to be taking on the task of figuring out a way to do so. The one guy that was trying had school that took over his time and then there are no other threads about it.
Yeah, I hope that you are right that all these new devices out there will spark something.
Today I sold my galaxy it was my worst purchase that I ever make. The phone was totally the best of all but I never understand why in us you must buy a phone with carrier and the unlocked phones are difficult to find.
adrikos23 said:
Today I sold my galaxy it was my worst purchase that I ever make. The phone was totally the best of all but I never understand why in us you must buy a phone with carrier and the unlocked phones are difficult to find.
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I believe Verizon sells all of their phones unlocked (as long as you ask for an unlocked phone). If Verizon doesn't, I'm pretty sure AT&T does. Now if you are talking about the bootloader being unlocked, T-Mobile's S6 Edge + is bootloader unlocked.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ using Tapatalk
Yes but only in Verizon I can use other sim from other country. If I will buy T-Mobile I will have unlocked bootloader but I will have problem with other sim
adrikos23 said:
Today I sold my galaxy it was my worst purchase that I ever make. The phone was totally the best of all but I never understand why in us you must buy a phone with carrier and the unlocked phones are difficult to find.
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totally agree.
How much you sold it for?
phiftyopz said:
I believe Verizon sells all of their phones unlocked (as long as you ask for an unlocked phone). If Verizon doesn't, I'm pretty sure AT&T does. Now if you are talking about the bootloader being unlocked, T-Mobile's S6 Edge + is bootloader unlocked.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ using Tapatalk
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They only come unlocked for gsm use for voice and then you would have to set the right apn. For CDMA sim cards you still need to unlock the phone like most others. The fcc requires verizon to sell their phones unlocked but it's only for GSM. Anything else you have to unlock specifically.
Does anyone here know if the T-Mobile variant has a locked bootloader? And if so, is there any way to unlock it?
I'm wondering the same thing...I'll be going to look at it later today. Also I noticed the wifi model has the phone dialer installed so I'm wondering if the LTE T-Mobile model has phone function with the right sim installed?
I went to the T-Mobile store to look at the tab...They had no idea if the bootloader is locked or not. I'm sure it probably is but haven't seen anything about whether it can be unlocked yet. They also told me that the phone and SMS/MMS might work for a few days until the system detects it is a tablet, then those functions will be disabled. Make no sense to me why we can't have those functions on a tablet here in the US...And why even put the software on the tab if it can't be used? I told them to keep it and I'll get the WiFi tablet and just use the hotspot on my phone when I'm out and about. At least I'll get quicker updates (Maybe because Samsung) and I won't have the tons of their bloatware on the thing.
Any feedback?
coilbio said:
Any feedback?
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If you can go into store and view the tablet go into settings and enable developer options by tapping on the build. Then go into developer options and see if there is a switch to unlock the boot loader. I just bought the wifi model from Best Buy and the boot loader can be unlocked. I have already installed TWRP and Magisk. I think maybe the LTE version may require a 7 day wait not sure.
rsktkr1 said:
If you can go into store and view the tablet go into settings and enable developer options by tapping on the build. Then go into developer options and see if there is a switch to unlock the boot loader. I just bought the wifi model from Best Buy and the boot loader can be unlocked. I have already installed TWRP and Magisk. I think maybe the LTE version may require a 7 day wait not sure.
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from almost a year back-wondering was your wifi device branded like Tmobile or Verizon? sad to see no continuity in the thread-was hoping for someone to check out the lte device in Tmobile to see if it could be unlocked or if the option was there-not many resources on internet. Does Tmobile even carry this thing anymore? thanks
mac231us said:
from almost a year back-wondering was your wifi device branded like Tmobile or Verizon? sad to see no continuity in the thread-was hoping for someone to check out the lte device in Tmobile to see if it could be unlocked or if the option was there-not many resources on internet. Does Tmobile even carry this thing anymore? thanks
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I bought the t-mobile variant from samsung directly. I'm about to find out. Give me a day or 2.
Arudis said:
I bought the t-mobile variant from samsung directly. I'm about to find out. Give me a day or 2.
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Thanks Arudis!
Might need more time.
mac231us said:
Thanks Arudis!
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Unfortunately, I think I'm being held back by the whole 7-day oem-unlock hide thing. And all the ways around it have apparently been patched by samsung. So this time next week, I'll know for sure. As of right now, I believe it can be unlocked, but I don't know for sure.
Arudis said:
Unfortunately, I think I'm being held back by the whole 7-day oem-unlock hide thing. And all the ways around it have apparently been patched by samsung. So this time next week, I'll know for sure. As of right now, I believe it can be unlocked, but I don't know for sure.
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thank you so much-well I will be receiving my device tomorrow. So let the race begin-ha ha kidding will see and compare. I did not know Samsung has this 7 day wait period (like Xiaomi has a 2 week period). Oh well, time will tell Thanks for keeping me posted and do let me know what you find. I did see a post somewhere on xda for the tab s6 where the poster said he could unlock the carrier device (think it was Tmobile) but he wanted to find out if he could root it. I will find the post (again it was an old one and of course, my response (recently) has not got any response. In fact, like many, he did not follow up with any posts thereafter (several months back).
edit
This is the thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...m-weta-1-0-t4002353/post83956193#post83956193
see post 21 - mertkan said he could unlock (so assume he was able to but was looking for doing other modifications)
Arudis said:
I bought the t-mobile variant from samsung directly. I'm about to find out. Give me a day or 2.
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Hello Arudis I got a used Tmobile variant. But I do not see any OEM unlock option in developer settings (a prerequisite before anything can be done for unlocking b/l). Which software version is yours having? (maybe it is different because you bought directly from Samsung but does not make sense if it is branded Tmobile). Could be that you have an older version of Android-appreciate if you could let me know which software version, CSC etc yours has. I might end up returning mine if there is no progress. Thanks.!
EDIT: Returned it. Great price and condition. Just too bad-did not want to take chances with it. Good luck-seems that you should be able to unlock it per that other post I sent.
mac231us said:
Hello Arudis I got a used Tmobile variant. But I do not see any OEM unlock option in developer settings (a prerequisite before anything can be done for unlocking b/l). Which software version is yours having? (maybe it is different because you bought directly from Samsung but does not make sense if it is branded Tmobile). Could be that you have an older version of Android-appreciate if you could let me know which software version, CSC etc yours has. I might end up returning mine if there is no progress. Thanks.!
EDIT: Returned it. Great price and condition. Just too bad-did not want to take chances with it. Good luck-seems that you should be able to unlock it per that other post I sent.
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Well. I'm struggling w/ it. CSC was TMB btw. This whole ordeal has been a mess of mistakes on my part. If i can't get this unlocked in the next day or 2 then i'll be returning it myself. I'd rather have a weaker tablet w/ root and a custom rom than a great tablet that i have to run stock.
Current software version is T867USQU3BTJ1 / T867UOYN3BTJ1 / T867USQU3BTJ1.
First thing I needed to know was whether or not I could unlock the tablet for other networks and in order to do that, I inserted a sim and logged into the tablet w/ my google account. I think this is where I made my first mistake as I have a sinking suspicion that inserting the sim somehow got rid of my oem unlock toggle. I know I had seen it before I started trying 2 unlock the sim because its always the first thing I do when I get a new device. But between the sim and the unlock process I ended up rebooting too many times and it auto-updated itself to the latest firmware. Since the latest firmware, I haven't seen that toggle at all. When I try to flash twrp w/ Odin, it fails.
@ this point I've decided that I will never buy another samsung device ever. I've had all manner of fun rooting every other device i've ever owned that wasn't a samsung device, however every samsung device has always been a supreme pain in the butt because I can't just do what i want w/ adb and fastboot.
Arudis said:
Well. I'm struggling w/ it. CSC was TMB btw. This whole ordeal has been a mess of mistakes on my part. If i can't get this unlocked in the next day or 2 then i'll be returning it myself. I'd rather have a weaker tablet w/ root and a custom rom than a great tablet that i have to run stock.
Current software version is T867USQU3BTJ1 / T867UOYN3BTJ1 / T867USQU3BTJ1.
First thing I needed to know was whether or not I could unlock the tablet for other networks and in order to do that, I inserted a sim and logged into the tablet w/ my google account. I think this is where I made my first mistake as I have a sinking suspicion that inserting the sim somehow got rid of my oem unlock toggle. I know I had seen it before I started trying 2 unlock the sim because its always the first thing I do when I get a new device. But between the sim and the unlock process I ended up rebooting too many times and it auto-updated itself to the latest firmware. Since the latest firmware, I haven't seen that toggle at all. When I try to flash twrp w/ Odin, it fails.
@ this point I've decided that I will never buy another samsung device ever. I've had all manner of fun rooting every other device i've ever owned that wasn't a samsung device, however every samsung device has always been a supreme pain in the butt because I can't just do what i want w/ adb and fastboot.
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I agree but this has more to do with (if not entirely) to U.S carriers playing games with dual devices for marketing-only here does this go on, where the carriers since time immemorial have blocked calls and texts on tablets (7 and above inches) giving some bs reasons (there was a time they had this tablet "plan" and phone "plans"-those have at least merged at least for Tmobile-otherwise their servers would detect a tablet and switch you automatically to a tablet plan for your 'convenience' and maybe even 'safety' lol)....so as long as they do this, Samsung (even Apple which does the same thing worldwide anyway) have tablets that do not have phone-like functions (Samsung has this call and text pairing with other Samsung phones a.k.a buy two of our devices please AND have two plans (so both Samsung and carriers win)...) on their U.S devices (Samsung at least to their credit have this :"unlocked" cellular variants in rest of the world, Apple does not even have that-yes, I know there is Google talk and all kinds of wifi-based workarounds but that is a different topic.
EDIT-if you compare the older devices like say tab S and tab s2 (the carrier variants and the international variants you will find out that even the speaker arrangements are different. I delved deep into this and found that even the boards were different-the lengths they went to do this to keep the versions distinct is amazing!) folks here on xda etc kept thinking for a while that they could simply flash the international ROMs (never mind the b/l block or hurdles) but the partitions were not even the same let alone the modems, and the actual hardware itself!
So blame the carriers-I do. So I never get these carrier devices (first time I tried my hand at it-no more)
Having to perform a soft boot tonight I noticed an "unlock bootloader command" in the softboot menu along with "cache clear" along with the always present "factory reset". Which I have to perform anyway because network mode locked to 3G only and no option to change it back so it has major conectivity issues. I'm thinking I may try the unlock bootloader command.
P.S. Mine is the tmo version
rigrunner said:
Having to perform a soft boot tonight I noticed an "unlock bootloader command" in the softboot menu along with "cache clear" along with the always present "factory reset". Which I have to perform anyway because network mode locked to 3G only and no option to change it back so it has major conectivity issues. I'm thinking I may try the unlock bootloader command.
P.S. Mine is the tmo version
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Out of curiosity which model number is your tmobile tab s6 lte? I have the verizon sm-t867v model which i re-flashed to the tmobile sm-t867u model using modified Odin 3.14. Unfortunately the bootloader remained locked down with no way to unlock it. Also what is this softboot menu your speaking of? I know samsung like the back of my hand and I've never heard of a softboot menu. Curious if this is something new im not aware of since I've been stuck with verizon brands the last 3 samsung devices I've owned...
Yes and Yes!
Can someone clarify something on the Tmobile Variant of the Tab S6?
This T867U definitely comes with the HARDWARE to text because i got it to work but it stopped.
So could this just be a matter of getting it 'Carrier Unlocked" so TMO cant decide what we do with our tab s6 since its payed for???
Make calls and send messages from your Galaxy tablet
With Call & text on other devices, you can receive calls and send messages on your Galaxy tablet that is logged in to the same Samsung account as your phone.
www.samsung.com
I have the same problem, I bought the device from eBay and now in Egypt, the device is locked to the T-Mobile network, and I don't know a way to unlock it. I cannot contact the seller to ask him about the T-Mobile subscription details, and after communicating with T-Mobile, they did not reply