Note 4 Unlocked - Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So im with AT&T and im planning on getting the Note 4. I dont want the att version with all the bloatware. Do I have any options without changing carriers?

10pmStalker said:
So im with AT&T and im planning on getting the Note 4. I dont want the att version with all the bloatware. Do I have any options without changing carriers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the carriers install their own bloatware, and eventually a guide will turn up on here on how you can remove the bloatware anyhow.

10pmStalker said:
So im with AT&T and im planning on getting the Note 4. I dont want the att version with all the bloatware. Do I have any options without changing carriers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A. Buy an international version outright
B. Root and remove the bloat with Titanium Backup
C. Root and install a baked version of TouchWiz ROM with all the bloat already removed.
Those are your options and those are ALL of them.

10pmStalker said:
So im with AT&T and im planning on getting the Note 4. I dont want the att version with all the bloatware. Do I have any options without changing carriers?
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Click to collapse
I think the best option is said to be T-Mobile - phones work on (most) AT&T bands and their phones are also do not have the locked bootloader that AT&T has.
Also you might want to look at US Cellular models and some of the Canadian unlocked versions - those tend to also have a lot of bands and are unlocked but might be launched later and might be harder to find in US.

Yup, the tmobile version is your best bet. The international version is a no go because it will be much slower data wise with no LTE. Plus carriers are moving to VoLTE. More info here. The same concept applies.

mircury said:
Plus carriers are moving to VoLTE. More info here. The same concept applies.
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Click to collapse
I don't think the carriers are going to VoLTE in general(reading literally), because I think they want to go VoIP in general. Because they all going to support voice over wifi soon anyway, working seemlessly when you are in you home but with no or weak cell signal. It's just that anything less than LTE, the latency is too high for good quality VoIP. It's both marketing move and technical move. Moving all the voice on top of data in the LTE means they can convert all the existing cell tower to just support LTE and hopefully support LTEadvance soon. And since moving to VoLTE, it also means that it's technically a VoIP, and thus why wouldn't it works on wifi as well. Thus eliminate one of the people complain that they don't have good signal in the house. I personally don't use the phone to make call that much, so don't view this as too much negativity. I rather care about carrier that have signal everywhere else I go and don't have to keep looking for wifi.

Related

What's the very best version of the Note 3?

I'm using an ATT Note 2 and I want to upgrade, mainly because of the better RAM and ROM. But I'm confused by the choices and Knox and locking and all that.
I am going too want to root my phone for sure, and unlock to use on different providers.
Not to worried about the cost.
What's the very best version out there, in your opinion?
capite said:
I'm using an ATT Note 2 and I want to upgrade, mainly because of the better RAM and ROM. But I'm confused by the choices and Knox and locking and all that.
I am going to want to root my phone for sure, and unlock to use on different providers.
Not to worried about the cost.
What's the very best version out there, in your opinion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the LTE bands tend to be very different from one provider to another the differences are only relevant once you know who is your carrier - so you should probably look / ask in the OTHER Note 3 forums:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-sprint
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-tmobile
Also see this to get a start on the matter of portability (or almost complete lack thereof) among those:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2464498
Thanks. When I mean I will want to use the phone on 'other providers,' I really just mean the GSM-based ones like ATT/T-mo and overseas carriers. I understand that Tmo and ATT use different LTE bands, just hoping that there's at least one unlocked and rootable model that covers both sets of LTE bands.
xclub_101 said:
Since the LTE bands tend to be very different from one provider to another the differences are only relevant once you know who is your carrier - so you should probably look / ask in the OTHER Note 3 forums:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-sprint
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-tmobile
Also see this to get a start on the matter of portability (or almost complete lack thereof) among those:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2464498
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
capite said:
Thanks. When I mean I will want to use the phone on 'other providers,' I really just mean the GSM-based ones like ATT/T-mo and overseas carriers. I understand that Tmo and ATT use different LTE bands, just hoping that there's at least one unlocked and rootable model that covers both sets of LTE bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the ATT and TMOBILE gnote3 cover each others LTE bands too. Infact, after unlocking your tmobile gnote3, achieving LTE on ATT should be as easy as popping in a sim card.
I think your choice would be between ATT and Tmo and I believe both can be rooted without tripping Knox. Even thought Tmo supposed to have unlocked bootloader, they use ATT rooted ROMs (since the name delavega root). Personally I would stick with the carrier: Tmo phone will give you Wifi calling, but only on Tmo network, so you can call home for free from anywhere in the world over WiFi. ATT is just beginning to test voice over LTE, no other US carrier has yet. And if you have call issues, are you going to call t-mo complaining their phone doesn't work well on ATT network, or you going to call ATT, that their network signal sucks with T-mo phone? And for example it would be difficult to buy new T-mo phone without at least some temporary t-mo service.
capite said:
Thanks. When I mean I will want to use the phone on 'other providers,' I really just mean the GSM-based ones like ATT/T-mo and overseas carriers. I understand that Tmo and ATT use different LTE bands, just hoping that there's at least one unlocked and rootable model that covers both sets of LTE bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not have a lot of experience on the US market but my last link seems to suggest that the TMo version is 100% compatible with ATT LTE (and the other way around), so generally (given the much bigger bootloader freedom on TMo vs ATT) I would say that TMo Note 3 should be a good choice. It will also work on ATT up to the full 4G and worldwide for voice over normal GSM, maybe 3G in many places. Also that last link suggests that once you unlock it (which is IMHO rather inexpensive and worth it) you will be able to use (almost) any GSM SIM in the world.

Unlock S5 From Sprint To Tmobile?

I recently got the S5 on sprint and im beyond disappointed with sprints new spark and lte network out here in NY. Im considering going to Tmobile since there lte speeds are crazy good and connection is steady out here. My question is can i get my phone unlocked and bring my sprint version phone over to Tmobile? I was told by a Tmobile rep that my phone would go down to 2g speeds and its not guaranteed to even get lte. Which i find hard to believe since since my phone has the option to also go on GSM/UMTS. Whats your guys thoughts on this?
darknatas said:
I recently got the S5 on sprint and im beyond disappointed with sprints new spark and lte network out here in NY. Im considering going to Tmobile since there lte speeds are crazy good and connection is steady out here. My question is can i get my phone unlocked and bring my sprint version phone over to Tmobile? I was told by a Tmobile rep that my phone would go down to 2g speeds and its not guaranteed to even get lte. Which i find hard to believe since since my phone has the option to also go on GSM/UMTS. Whats your guys thoughts on this?
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Bump
19 25996965
darknatas said:
Bump
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Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
Vlade12 said:
Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So even if i get the phone unlocked i wont be able to use it on tmobile?
darknatas said:
So even if i get the phone unlocked i wont be able to use it on tmobile?
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Click to collapse
Correct. Sprint uses different frequency ranges, so unlocked or not it's just not going to communicate.
ATT and T-Mobile work due to the overlap. In fact, for a while there ATT was going to purchase T-Mobile before the FCC put a halt to that.
Glad too as T-Mobile is now shaking up the market and forcing (encouraging?) Verzion and ATT to try and adopt similar measures in order to maintain customer base.
Vlade12 said:
Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
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Click to collapse
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
bcas9472 said:
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you can get full speeds on gsm networks with the sprint version? in the US or out?
Is that right?
bcas9472 said:
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone comfermed this? To my knowledge the Sprint/Verizon phones are not cross compatable with AT&T and T-mobile. Some verizon phones are the exception but basicily its a no go from CDMA phone to GSM tech.
confirm
i can confirm the sprint s4 does work on tmobile with a bit of editing and following the gsm domestic tutorial on xda, however this part about the modem.bin and hlos isnt confirmed and i have done this and ended up hard bricking my devices and had to jtag to repair them. ive tried many times and always bricked so i say no go.
this forum is for the sprint s5 and i would hope we can find a loophole to get it gsm unlocked. any ideas? ive tried a few things but no luck
Theres alot of incorrect information here. The latest Sprint phones using sim cards ARE ABLE to use T-Mobile and AT&T as long as GSM is in the hardware. I dont own the S5 but for those blinding others with frequency talk I'm tired of seeing, read it and weep:
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4408
Sprint S5 supports GSM. Now of course no LTE on T-Mobile due to the lack of the 1700 frequency,
but your 4G will be fine. Depending on where you live, you may not even care about LTE over 4G.
Sure, Sprint locks the darn thing up to avoid it getting into the hands of other domestic carriers, but
just as the Sprint Note 3 and my Sprint LG G2, a workaround has been invented. For the G2 it was as
"borrowing" the stock T-Mobile LG G2 firmware and tweaking it to boot up on our LS980. We have
about 3 different tastes of working unlocked roms, not only sticking to T-Mobile, but other carriers
reported working such as Metro PCS and AT&T. So my guess is that the S5 may need a similar
treatment, nobody wants Sprint honestly. The first 14 days (brought in my own LG Optimus G LS970)
I was with them service was glorious here in NYC. But after the 14 day "trial period" ended I was
DAMNED into horrible service, constant 3G instead of 4G, etc. Thanks to refusing to make payments
due to the disgusting service, my GS4's IMEI is basically crap, so I sold it in the same week I got it.
I should have never swapped it out for the LG OG...
Honestly, I'll thank every OP I see that "unlocks" the Sprint version of any phone for domestic GSM
use. Their silly Sprint Spark is useless, why introduce something new when they dont even have full
4G coverage here in the USA? And their agents sound like "AI" controlled cyborgs: "Oh we're sorry to
hear that, your zone is scheduled to be recieving 4G soon." Yeah right. I feel sorry for those who suffer
in other states.
ANYWAYS sorry for drifting off topic. The recap here is that the Sprint S5 IS capable of domestic GSM with some modding.
And also that I hate Sprint.
Any Updates on this
Does anyone have any news on this? I have a S5 from sprint and want to use it with tmobile or other gsm carrier. any1 have any updates on the UCCI deal i read about somewhere? I have the spc phone is rooted what do i need to do? cant bring up the service menu to change things there.. kind a lost pls help
..
lease has anyone found a solution for enabling aws bands on galaxy s5? i have the at&t active version unlocked and rooted using on tmobile but i get only edge :/
What is the verdict? Is there anyone who knows you can use it on any network? I am getting mine tomorrow and am unlocking it. Is there a way to test if they will work on any network? I have many sim cards from diff carriers.
..
unlock sprint
fffft said:
There have been a lot of threads about this, so clearly few are even bothering to search the forum for existing threads and the wealth of information in them.
Sprint is a CDMA system like Verizon & USC. CDMA per se is incompatible with GSM, which is what most of the world uses. The Sprint S5 only supports some of the most common GSM frequency bands and moreover will have a locked bootloader and SIM.
Sprint will not unlock the SIM (actually SPC code) to allow using it with other domestic carriers. You can find third party vendors that will "SPC unlock" your Sprint phone. But then you will find that Sprint's S5 won't support any of the LTE bands on other CDMA or GSM carriers and misses some GSM bands too.
Nor can you use custom ROMs, kernels or recoveries in the normal manner due to the locked bootloader. You could probably use the Verizon Safestrap method to emulate a limited palette of custom ROMs, but you would have to do your due dilligence there and look into the details.
In short, if you jump through enough hoops, you can use a Sprint S5 on another carrier like TMobile. But it will always be marginal. You won't get LTE data speeds, you will see more congestion than those using native handsets, due to your reduced number of bands. And you may have no coverage at all in some fringe areas served by a TMB band that your handset doesn't have.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The limitation of what "bands" the radio will cover are software defined. if you look around. you can find a way to modify those defined rules.
to allow it to use 1700 LTE. although the legality may be questionable as the FCC approval for that model was not tested with the LTE. The baseband chip/radio still supports the band with the software changes
..
impossible
fffft said:
There have been a lot of threads about this, so clearly few are even bothering to search the forum for existing threads and the wealth of information in them.
Sprint is a CDMA system like Verizon & USC. CDMA per se is incompatible with GSM, which is what most of the world uses. The Sprint S5 only supports some of the most common GSM frequency bands and moreover will have a locked bootloader and SIM.
Sprint will not unlock the SIM (actually SPC code) to allow using it with other domestic carriers. You can find third party vendors that will "SPC unlock" your Sprint phone. But then you will find that Sprint's S5 won't support any of the LTE bands on other CDMA or GSM carriers and misses some GSM bands too.
Nor can you use custom ROMs, kernels or recoveries in the normal manner due to the locked bootloader. You could probably use the Verizon Safestrap method to emulate a limited palette of custom ROMs, but you would have to do your due dilligence there and look into the details.
In short, if you jump through enough hoops, you can use a Sprint S5 on another carrier like TMobile. But it will always be marginal. You won't get LTE data speeds, you will see more congestion than those using native handsets, due to your reduced number of bands. And you may have no coverage at all in some fringe areas served by a TMB band that your handset doesn't have.
.
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Click to collapse
What in the heck? Who fed you this bologna? Do you work for Sprint? Cause I have various complaints for you if you do. My SPRINT G2 running a T-Mobile G2 stock rom which is unlocked DOMESTICALLY works perfectly fine with T-Mobile's 4G. I don't think many people care about LTE, getting off of Sprint alone is a huge leap for mankind (in this case G900P owners). And as it was mentioned, there are ways to get that nice LTE band for various devices with simple mods, problem is that it is NOT widely recognized yet and very few people know that the possibility exists because of various misleading posts that "its all in the hardware" and fingers being pointed at Qualcomm's techniques. Yes there is a possibility for a domestic unlock, sure there might not be LTE for it, but most people will be content with the fact that they can use their expensive locked down phone with another carrier. Honesty Sprint devices would be better off being sold for less than carriers that actually DO allow domestic unlocks. Why do we pay over half a "K" for a phone that in reality we do not completely have full rights over? Why do other carriers alow domestic unlocks and Sprint wants to be greedy and lock in all of their customers with shady contracts and decieving bills?
Thats why many of us including myself would be beyond grateful if we even get some 3G with another carrier. We have CDMA capabilities, we have GSM capabilities, all we need is some sort of domestic unlock.
There is NO third party unlock code of any sorts that will unlock a phone that is unlocked OTA. Check around for many posts from various foreign users who have gotten stuck with a useless Galaxy S5 that can only be used with wifi thanks to Sprint. Is it their fault? No. It is purely Sprint's fault for being so damn greedy. Thankfully I am hearing news that by February of 2015 all devices will be GSM and have the capabilities to be unlocked for domestic use.
Custom roms, honestly most of us are just unsatisfied with the average and like to go to the unique side. But is Cyanogenmod going to allow us to use Air Gestures and all the other cool features of the S5? Not really. Custom kernels would be nice, but many people only seek then in order to overclock their device, which this device is in particular really doesn't need any more added power (or battery drain) than it already has. Optimization tweaks might be worth it but I dont see it helping. If someone could fix the delayed multitasking transitions (switching from one app to the other at times is delayed a second or two) or the crashing browser without custom roms or kernels, then it is best not to waste time on the development of such things. But then again there are those who prefer stock android in combination with other features such as the AMOLED screen technology, but it is best to look for another device.

FINALLY! A single hardware variant for all US carriers.

Looking at the FCC docs for what appears to be the S7, it seems like Samsung will finally make just a single hardware variant for the US, FCC ID A3LSMG935US, with the different carrier models' features and bands being enabled/disabled solely in software or firmware.
Assuming this observation is correct, this will mark a sea change in Samsung's approach which in the past meant creating a plethora of hardware variants for the US market.
This may also mean that at some point we might see an unlocked model with broad support for multiple US carriers.
FINALLY! A single hardware variant for all US carriers
myphone12345 said:
Looking at the FCC docs for what appears to be the S7, it seems like Samsung will finally make just a single hardware variant for the US, FCC ID A3LSMG935US, with the different carrier models' features and bands being enabled/disabled solely in software or firmware.
Assuming this observation is correct, this will mark a sea change in Samsung's approach which in the past meant creating a plethora of hardware variants for the US market.
This may also mean that at some point we might see an unlocked model with broad support for multiple US carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope this will come true
haldi15 said:
GayT&T and Verizon will still lock the bootloaders on their versions
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Click to collapse
Probably true but since most of us will have to buy the phone outright now due to no carrier subsidies, couldn't we just buy a T-Mobile version and active whatever bands are needed for lets say Verizon? I have always heard that T-Mobile phones are easier to deal with as far as a Sammy BL goes. I may be way off on my thinking but it was my thought as this was a way around Verizon and AT&T locking down the equipment that we own.
t_house said:
Probably true but since most of us will have to buy the phone outright now due to no carrier subsidies, couldn't we just buy a T-Mobile version and active whatever bands are needed for lets say Verizon? I have always heard that T-Mobile phones are easier to deal with as far as a Sammy BL goes. I may be way off on my thinking but it was my thought as this was a way around Verizon and AT&T locking down the equipment that we own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct both US and canadian users already do this, you can either hex edit the modem or just flash a modem that carries the support already as many users have done.
t_house said:
Probably true but since most of us will have to buy the phone outright now due to no carrier subsidies, couldn't we just buy a T-Mobile version and active whatever bands are needed for lets say Verizon? I have always heard that T-Mobile phones are easier to deal with as far as a Sammy BL goes. I may be way off on my thinking but it was my thought as this was a way around Verizon and AT&T locking down the equipment that we own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been using TMOBILE Phones on ATT Network for 5 years. S4- S5-Note 3, 4 and 5, S6 - etc.
Perhaps this coincides with the rumored Samsung leasing program and one unlocked phone for all carriers.
Only recently has Verizon started activating unlocked phones ie Nexus.
My 2 cents
Solace50 said:
correct both US and canadian users already do this, you can either hex edit the modem or just flash a modem that carries the support already as many users have done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it really expected to be that easy to use a T-Mobile S7 on Verizon? T-Mobile leaves them unlocked so you can flash Verizon radios and are good to go?
Redflea said:
Is it really expected to be that easy to use a T-Mobile S7 on Verizon? T-Mobile leaves them unlocked so you can flash Verizon radios and are good to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know in the past you could always take a Verizon S7 and use it on T-Mobile or AT&T, but the problem has been a lack of band support since Verizon only seems to include at most bands 2, 4, 5, and 13. Here's hoping the S7 changes this.
geoff5093 said:
I know in the past you could always take a Verizon S7 and use it on T-Mobile or AT&T, but the problem has been a lack of band support since Verizon only seems to include at most bands 2, 4, 5, and 13. Here's hoping the S7 changes this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm more interested in the other direction, T-Mobile S7 Edge on Verizon. If that's doable, that would be nice.
Redflea said:
I'm more interested in the other direction, T-Mobile S7 Edge on Verizon. If that's doable, that would be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really hope so. In the past only the Verizon model could work on Verizon, but I think it's about time Samsung changes this and follows the route of the Nexus, iPhone, and Moto direction of one phone that works on all carriers.
I have a Verizon S5 and I can easily activate any band I need by changing settings in the IOT Hidden Menu and/or Service Mode. It's been a minute since I last played around with my phone in that capacity but I know I can do it. Obviously root access is a must to do any of this so I guess we will see if Sammy bastardizes the S7 like they did the S6 Edge and Edge+ with no options at all for root. That really is a deal breaker for me. I'll keep my S5 and see what the 2016 versions of the Nexus phones are like.
t_house said:
I have a Verizon S5 and I can easily activate any band I need by changing settings in the IOT Hidden Menu and/or Service Mode. It's been a minute since I last played around with my phone in that capacity but I know I can do it. Obviously root access is a must to do any of this so I guess we will see if Sammy bastardizes the S7 like they did the S6 Edge and Edge+ with no options at all for root. That really is a deal breaker for me. I'll keep my S5 and see what the 2016 versions of the Nexus phones are like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't activate any band you need. You may be able to activate certain unlocked bands, but it still lacks many of the bands that are in use today by other carriers.
It has come to my attention that the Straight Talk version of the Galaxy S5 comes with an unlocked bootloader and is practically identical to the Verizon version. Cyanogenmod and TWRP can be loaded on to it. You would treat it as a developer model S5.
Sent from my rooted SM-G900V
t_house said:
It has come to my attention that the Straight Talk version of the Galaxy S5 comes with an unlocked bootloader and is practically identical to the Verizon version. Cyanogenmod and TWRP can be loaded on to it. You would treat it as a developer model S5.
Sent from my rooted SM-G900V
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Click to collapse
That's awesome if true. Have you actually done this yourself? Or do you have a source?
Apparently AT&T will be offering an off-contract phone but still unsure if it will be unlocked or not. Does anyone have experience with AT&T and their off-contract phones.
Redflea said:
Is it really expected to be that easy to use a T-Mobile S7 on Verizon? T-Mobile leaves them unlocked so you can flash Verizon radios and are good to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That seems to be what OP is implying, though I'm not as optimistic. If that's confirmed true then I'll be getting an S7 on day one.
Unlimited data keeps us on Verizon, but I'm so sick and tired of their locked down devices.
myphone12345 said:
Looking at the FCC docs for what appears to be the S7, it seems like Samsung will finally make just a single hardware variant for the US, FCC ID A3LSMG935US, with the different carrier models' features and bands being enabled/disabled solely in software or firmware.
Assuming this observation is correct, this will mark a sea change in Samsung's approach which in the past meant creating a plethora of hardware variants for the US market.
This may also mean that at some point we might see an unlocked model with broad support for multiple US carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently not:
G930F (Global); G930A (AT&T, Cricket); G930P (Sprint, Boost, Virgin Mobile); G930V (Verizon); G930T (T-Mobile, Metro PCS); G930R (US Cellular)
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Click to collapse
Source
I think OP was referring to this image. Notice the middle model.
jal3223 said:
I think OP was referring to this image. Notice the middle model.
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Click to collapse
Very interesting. But...
No VoLTE on that model means no simultaneous voice and data on Verizon, as voice will always be CDMA (assuming they don't try and pitch a hissy fit about activating on their network in the first place). Also no wifi calling on that model.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
So the T-Mobile site says it supports LTE band 13. I wonder if it could be used on Verizon, even if only in LTE mode?

Unlock Sprint GS 7 for use on ATT/T-Mobile

I want to purchase a Sprint GS 7 and sim unlock to use on GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile.
What is the process official and other options for sim unlock.
Never had Sprint service before, thanks for your assistance.
First step is to not stick a sprint sim card in the phone. I played around with mine without a sim card and to get the stupid vr game promo i stuck the card in and next thing it did was install all the carrier garbage bloatware automatically and it changes the boot screen and to my understanding it sim locks to the carrier that the sim card uses. Complete bullsh!t I am irate and stuck with all of this garbage bloat courtesy of sprint and the locked bootloader thanks to samsung. Im returning mine
I bought my sprint s7 full price through best buy.
First thing I did was swap the sprint Sim with my AT&T Sim (testing first Sim inserted). Prompted with invalid Sim error.
Appears the sprint phones come with activation software pre-installed that locks it to their network. You need them to unlock it from their end, no unlock codes.
When I put the sprint Sim back in, it didn't install all the bloat. It installs everything if you activate the phone; unactivated Sim, no account.
According to sprint, the phone needs to be activated on the network for 50 days and paid in full to be unlocked. They unlocked mine without meeting those standard because of poor support from a rep before I bought it.
After you get it unlocked, you can just insert any sim (gsm/cdma) after?
I don't see any settings to change the network mode.
I'd like to know the same. I'm traveling over seas in less than two week and would like to use while over seas with the local carrier. Not so much concerned with using it with other carriers domestically though.
I'm also curious if the phone can be used for data on other carries once unlocked. I wonder because with my current Sprint GS5, Sprint unlocked it, but it does not work with data when over seas. Come to find out after a lot of research, there is no solution and everybody with unlocked Sprint GS5s also cannot get data to work without wifi.
OP, you may want to keep that in mind and do your research. If Sprint's GS7 is like their GS5, you will not be able to get data on the phone with other carriers even if unlocked, unless connected to wifi.
Yes, any Sim CDMA or GSM will work. And data works perfectly for me. The s7 is the same device for every carrier where the only thing that changes is the software.
Here's a screenshot of my sprint phone on cricket with data.
noreboy said:
I'd like to know the same. I'm traveling over seas in less than two week and would like to use while over seas with the local carrier. Not so much concerned with using it with other carriers domestically though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the Sprint model, there will be LTE issues overseas depending on where you go and which carrier you use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65825260&postcount=14
noreboy said:
I'm also curious if the phone can be used for data on other carries once unlocked. I wonder because with my current Sprint GS5, Sprint unlocked it, but it does not work with data when over seas. Come to find out after a lot of research, there is no solution and everybody with unlocked Sprint GS5s also cannot get data to work without wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to UK in 2013, had my S4 with me and was able to get data. I was not, however, able to get fast LTE speeds. Sprint cripples their LTE bands on purpose for some reason so that they become less useful on many international carriers.
---------- Post added at 11:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:13 AM ----------
TehPirate_ said:
The s7 is the same device for every carrier where the only thing that changes is the software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main difference between models on each carrier are bloatware they add and LTE bands they add and delete. Sprint always gets rid of useful LTE bands like LTE 7 which is a popular worldwide band.
asuh said:
The main difference between models on each carrier are bloatware they add and LTE bands they add and delete. Sprint always gets rid of useful LTE bands like LTE 7 which is a popular worldwide band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LTE 7 is enabled for me.
TehPirate_ said:
LTE 7 is enabled for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Cricket is owned by AT&T, a carrier who did not get rid of band 7, despite the fact that they use Sprint's 3G network as well as CDMA. Do you have bands 25 and 26 as well? If so, that would be great!
asuh said:
Correct. Cricket is owned by AT&T, a carrier who did not get rid of band 7, despite the fact that they use Sprint's 3G network as well as CDMA. Do you have bands 25 and 26 as well? If so, that would be great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're also correct but this is a Sprint S7 network unlocked. And yes, I do. 25 and 26 are the first priority for me.
TehPirate_ said:
You're also correct but this is a Sprint S7 network unlocked. And yes, I do. 25 and 26 are the first priority for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Okay, so do you *also* have LTE 29/30/40 that AT&T has been adding to their phones?
asuh said:
Interesting. Okay, so do you *also* have LTE 29/30/40 that AT&T has been adding to their phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't actually. Knowing this I'm going to focus on attempting to add these bands (toggle them). Trying to get a hold of Sprint currently to get my MSL code.
The Galaxy S7 is DUC meaning it can be unlocked for domestic use, and it will automatically unlock tru a programming update sent OTA after the device has been active on the account(in good standing) for more than 50 days.
TehPirate_ said:
LTE 7 is enabled for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I get to see which bands are enabled on my phone?
YankyA said:
Where can I get to see which bands are enabled on my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bands available i believe
For those not in good standing, or who don't feel like waiting, find somebody with a Z3X-box, like myself, on craigslist. $45 (or usually in that area,) takes us 5-10 minutes, don't need root, and doesn't need to be clean. =]
sml2004 said:
Bands available i believe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. how do I get to this menu?
YankyA said:
Yup. how do I get to this menu?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
##3282#
Just bought a sprint s7 yesterday since it was cheaper for me and had it unlock from an ebay listing for about $15. It was quick like 2 minutes and easy. Its done remotely on the person's end with your phone connected to computer. I'm using it on Tmobile and is working great. I get lte speeds and call quailty is great. Getting to the service menu above ##3282# you can edit the band priorities so you can have the wanted bands 1st, 2nd, and so forth. Just need the MSL# which they can get you.
If this is against the rules sorry, but just thought I give my experience with unlocking the sprint s7.
I'm trying to find detailed specs without luck, can someone please clarify which LTE bands the Sprint variant of the S7 has?
Please list all that are physically on the radio, and specify if they are actually available for use or blocked.

S7 International on AT&T carrier

Anyone using S7 International version on US AT&T carrier?
Care to report any issues? Drawbacks? Limitations, etc?
I'm curious about the this as well
If so, any issues, like with GPS? Also does Samsung pay work?
I don't get why Samsung has made this so complicated: some of us want t faster updates, custom roms etc and are willing to pay for it. And in this particular case a slightly faster more efficient variant.
I just got the 930f, and using it on cricket. So far, I see no drawbacks, but I haven't used it enough. Cricket was auto detected and APN settings already configured. The 930f from ebay was sealed, and no European sim needed.
anywho said:
I just got the 930f, and using it on cricket. So far, I see no drawbacks, but I haven't used it enough. Cricket was auto detected and APN settings already configured. The 930f from ebay was sealed, and no European sim needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Cricket use AT&T towers?
martinezma99 said:
Does Cricket use AT&T towers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, it is att owned mvno.
Anyone else on AT&T?
Been debating if I want to get this variant as well. Anybody know if AT&t LTE work? Online claims that the phone does support it, but would rather have someone verify it before I purchased it.
chungdae said:
Been debating if I want to get this variant as well. Anybody know if AT&t LTE work? Online claims that the phone does support it, but would rather have someone verify it before I purchased it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LTE works fine, but this is missing band 30. But Band 30 is very new, and I believe it's mainly big city markets that use it.
^great thank you for the info
I got the international S7 Edge (935f) and I am using it on ATT.
The ebay sellers remove the region lock before shipping, which requires a 10 minute call in the originating country. I also had no issues when putting my ATT sim in and didn't have to change APN settings or anything, it all worked immediately. I get 4G LTE and speeds are typical for what I am used to. I could also use my phone as a wireless hotspot right away, which was very important to me, and something ATT does not allow without a separate plan. No band 30 as was mentioned, but I can live without that. Also, no samsung pay (for the time being), and no voice over LTE, which I never used before anyway. You're also on your own for warranty.
Not many disadvantages to taking the international over the carrier brand, and you will get a lower cost, bloat free, and rootable/fully customizable phone as an advantage. Very happy w/ my purchase.
Hisma said:
I got the international S7 Edge (935f) and I am using it on ATT.
The ebay sellers remove the region lock before shipping, which requires a 10 minute call in the originating country. I also had no issues when putting my ATT sim in and didn't have to change APN settings or anything, it all worked immediately. I get 4G LTE and speeds are typical for what I am used to. I could also use my phone as a wireless hotspot right away, which was very important to me, and something ATT does not allow without a separate plan. No band 30 as was mentioned, but I can live without that. Also, no samsung pay (for the time being), and no voice over LTE, which I never used before anyway. You're also on your own for warranty.
Not many disadvantages to taking the international over the carrier brand, and you will get a lower cost, bloat free, and rootable/fully customizable phone as an advantage. Very happy w/ my purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious if the Samsung Pay app is missing or if it's present and just unable to be configured due to the model number. Thanks! Also, I read someone complaining about GPS with their SM-G935F here in the US. Can't imagine why that would be, but have you had any issues in that area?
samsung pay is not even present. It needs to be baked in by the carrier.
As for GPS, it's perfectly fine. I used it earlier today and it locked in & got me where I needed to go without issue. I don't see why people would say GPS would be impacted by an international phone? GPS will be the same in all of these, and it will connect to the same satellites all the other carriers would use. This isn't like a car where it needs to have region-specific maps pre-loaded.
Does VoLTE work?
myphone12345 said:
Does VoLTE work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
No but I am using an AT&T version G935A in Canada. Works flawlessly!
If I get the international model, will the phone auto update the APN settings on its own?
Capt said:
If I get the international model, will the phone auto update the APN settings on its own?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read my first response.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Isn't samsung pay downloadble from the play store now (and APKMirror)? I'm curious if it works once it's installed on the phone.
Hisma said:
samsung pay is not even present. It needs to be baked in by the carrier.
As for GPS, it's perfectly fine. I used it earlier today and it locked in & got me where I needed to go without issue. I don't see why people would say GPS would be impacted by an international phone? GPS will be the same in all of these, and it will connect to the same satellites all the other carriers would use. This isn't like a car where it needs to have region-specific maps pre-loaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read up on A-GPS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS
myphone12345 said:
Read up on A-GPS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. Wasn't aware that they combine the Internet connection with the GPS in these phones, makes sense though.
Still, I speak from personal experience with the phone, GPS locks instantly and works great with Google maps. Haven't used it with any other 3rd party apps yet though. If others have had issues I'd like to hear their personal accounts.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

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