Leasing and Rooting/Flashing ROMS - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers

Hey everyone,
So I currently own a S4 on Sprint and it's rooted with a custom ROM and I use the mobile hotspot for my internet at home ( can't get any decent internet in the apartment I live in ). I have been looking into finally upgrading to the S7, but it's a little too pricey to outright buy it so I am looking into leasing it.
I have never leased a phone so I am not sure how it works in regards to rooting, flashing ROMS, and most importantly for me at the moment the mobile hotspot. I have never had an issue so far with getting throttled or been warned about my data usage from Sprint so far, but I'm not sure if their policies change if I start leasing a phone from them. I figure when it comes time to turn my phone back in I could flash it back to stock. I remember though that with KNOX even if you flash back to stock the warranty would still be voided and I'm not sure if that would be a problem when I try to flash back to stock before returning the phone.
Any guidance on the issue would be appreciated.

I also upgraded from a S4. right now i have a S7 that i just got today. flashing and rooting should have no affect except that your warranty will be void. if you really care, then you can always flash stock rom via odin after you download the firmware from SamMobile. my S4 has been rooted and went through like 10 different roms.

If Knox is tripped my understanding is some features won't work. I could see this being problematic upon return. Though if you're careful and don't trip knox as long as you flash back I don't see it would be an issue.

VeriSkye said:
If Knox is tripped my understanding is some features won't work. I could see this being problematic upon return. Though if you're careful and don't trip knox as long as you flash back I don't see it would be an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to not trip Knox these days? If I remember correctly there was a time when there was no way around it.

sj7ftw said:
Is it possible to not trip Knox these days? If I remember correctly there was a time when there was no way around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there is no known way not to trip knox unless you have a factory engineering image

Depending on your plan, Hotspot is included if you have one of the gig bucket plans. Use to have to do Hotspot tweaks too,
I went from the 1500 unlimited data, to a 3gig plan and Hotspot is included.
My plan with 2 ezpay s7 phones and 3 gigs is much less than I was paying. Plus I never use more than 3 gigs, usually way less with wifi.

sj7ftw said:
Is it possible to not trip Knox these days? If I remember correctly there was a time when there was no way around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was. But I've been living in the HTC world for a while so I admittedly haven't kept up like I used to.

I am also leasing my s7 edge.
I dont think there would be an issue root and roming the phone, as long as:
A; you do not call sprint for software issues.
B; if you do, put stock back on the phone before hand.
If you have hardware issues, its OK to call sprint, just dont tell them the phone is rooted. You will have to put the phone back to stock (hopefully knox resets when this happens) to return the phone for hardware replacement.
I've replaced my Samsung phones so many times. I have the monthly insurance.

Thanks for the replies... If anyone does know how to reset Knox/warranty bit when going back to stock let me know. Now to wait for a hotspot mod. I do have GalaxyTools still on my S4. Anyone know if that would work?

There is no way to reset Knox.

sj7ftw said:
Hey everyone,
So I currently own a S4 on Sprint and it's rooted with a custom ROM and I use the mobile hotspot for my internet at home ( can't get any decent internet in the apartment I live in ). I have been looking into finally upgrading to the S7, but it's a little too pricey to outright buy it so I am looking into leasing it.
I have never leased a phone so I am not sure how it works in regards to rooting, flashing ROMS, and most importantly for me at the moment the mobile hotspot. I have never had an issue so far with getting throttled or been warned about my data usage from Sprint so far, but I'm not sure if their policies change if I start leasing a phone from them. I figure when it comes time to turn my phone back in I could flash it back to stock. I remember though that with KNOX even if you flash back to stock the warranty would still be voided and I'm not sure if that would be a problem when I try to flash back to stock before returning the phone.
Any guidance on the issue would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S7 in my op is so far above the S4 it is scary. Well worth your lease. Also if at the end of the lease terms you want to buy the phone Sprint has options. I got a loyalty discount on my lease at 50% off. With the buy option at the end leasing the phone I would save around 200$ as opposed to buying it out right.

No way to untrip Knox, and it IS against the terms of your lease, just FYI.

Right now this is all moot. Bootloader is locked. Unfortunately.

All us is locked

Instead of leasing there is the payment to own, this way you are buying it instead. I didn't there was leasing option for the S7 yet.

As far as the payment to own... i dont understand why anyone would want to do that? It seems much better to sign two years and pay $250.00 in stead of paying the full price after payments are said and done. Am i missing something? or i don't see a bigger picture everyone else does.

lost0138 said:
As far as the payment to own... i dont understand why anyone would want to do that? It seems much better to sign two years and pay $250.00 in stead of paying the full price after payments are said and done. Am i missing something? or i don't see a bigger picture everyone else does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The service costs more with a two-year contract, so there's that. It doesn't actually work out that you get the phone $500 cheaper. You make up for it in the cost of service.
IMO the Galaxy Forever is the way to go. New phone every 12 months, no need to worry about the battery being unreplaceable, an old Android having little resale value, etc.

lost0138 said:
As far as the payment to own... i dont understand why anyone would want to do that? It seems much better to sign two years and pay $250.00 in stead of paying the full price after payments are said and done. Am i missing something? or i don't see a bigger picture everyone else does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason I have considered the leasing option with the payment to own is I got a huge discount through Sprint for being with them for over 10 years. Without that discount the lease option and the payment option are about the same end cost. As far as the 2 year contract, I have not been given that option through Sprint, the only time I see that option is for new customers when I am not signed into my account on the web site.
I am right now on the Galaxy for life program because I have opted for the lease with Sprint. Unless the next Note or Galaxy is a home run and includes a removable battery cover I don't know if I will opt for the upgrade when they come out. I really dig this GS7.

Sign and pass along
https://www.change.org/p/sprint-unl...utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Zer0C0oL said:
The only reason I have considered the leasing option with the payment to own is I got a huge discount through Sprint for being with them for over 10 years. Without that discount the lease option and the payment option are about the same end cost. As far as the 2 year contract, I have not been given that option through Sprint, the only time I see that option is for new customers when I am not signed into my account on the web site.
I am right now on the Galaxy for life program because I have opted for the lease with Sprint. Unless the next Note or Galaxy is a home run and includes a removable battery cover I don't know if I will opt for the upgrade when they come out. I really dig this GS7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I did the lease too. I got $10 off a month and I get to upgrade next year. I love to upgrade so it was a no brainer for me.

Related

Best Buy Girl Says Data Plan Required For Wifi - Truth or Lie?

Is she trying to sell me something or is it true?
No need for data plan. Not required unless your getting it for 599
So wifi will work? No need to connect to Verizon network or something first to activate it?
edit: I know the question sounds silly, but I don't want to book a flight back to the US to enable Wifi
I was in a similar situation concerning flight back, but there is no need in it.
No data plan required, Wi-Fi works just fine
Best Buy Sucks
Dont buy anything from BestBuy. They employ mostly idiots that dont have a friggin clue. I mostly have to go in there in a pinch for a cable and end up teaching them a thing or two about their own products.
magicdroid said:
So wifi will work? No need to connect to Verizon network or something first to activate it?
edit: I know the question sounds silly, but I don't want to book a flight back to the US to enable Wifi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works just fine without activation.
Ok don't take this for %100 fact, but here is my two cents. If the Xoom is anything like the Galaxy Tab for Verizon this should be pretty accurate. I just sold my Galaxy Tab last night to a friend, I did a hard reset to get all my stuff off the device prior to giving it to him and when it booted back up I had to "activate" the device before I could use it again. In other words, you select a language and from there it takes you to a screen to activate the Tab, and unless you can connect to Verizons network (aka: pay them for a data subscription) you cannot activate the device or progress past this screen to actually use the tab. It is essentially a worthless device until this is complete. I had to call Verizon and have them hook the service back up to the device for literally less than 1 minute so I could activate it and then have them turn it back off right away. They will charge you for a full day of service of course, $1.16 to be exact. I made them credit it back to my acct however. No way I am paying a dollar something for 30 seconds of service just so I can sell it. I had read a statement from Verizon that they won't make you pay any charges if you purchase a Xoom there without getting a plan with it, but Best Buy may still be doing it. Sorry for the long post, hope it helped.
I got mine from Best Buy last Friday (had some gift cards to use up)...no Verizon activation...the tablet and wifi works just fine.
The girl you spoke with had no idea what she was talking about.
Activation is not required on a full-price Xoom, even at VZW. When the activation screen pops up on the first boot, there is a button to skip it, and WiFi will work with no problem.
fauxreal said:
I did a hard reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also had to reset it while unlocking bootloader. Could not remember if there was an activation prompt, but in case it was there, it was successfully skipped and WiFi still works
dwboston said:
Activation is not required on a full-price Xoom, even at VZW. When the activation screen pops up on the first boot, there is a button to skip it, and WiFi will work with no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I'm not mistaking, it was there so I skipped it
No Activation required. Verizon even announced it the evening before launch that they were no longer requiring it (assuming you buy at full price of course). This affects all retail locations, Best Buy, Costco, VZW stores, etc...The Best Buy girl is ill-informed. Skip the activation screen upon start up and the Xoom boots normally with full wifi functionality.
magicdroid said:
Is she trying to sell me something or is it true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 things stand out here:
1. best buy employee - if they really knew what they were talking about, they would have better jobs
2. it's a girl - is an explanation really necessary?
badandyg said:
Dont buy anything from BestBuy. They employ mostly idiots that dont have a friggin clue. I mostly have to go in there in a pinch for a cable and end up teaching them a thing or two about their own products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, that's what I do about 90% of the time when in BB. But when I got my Xoom, the lady at the mobile section was actually knowledgeable about Xoom.
magicdroid said:
Is she trying to sell me something or is it true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lie. I mean, she might not be able to sell you one without a data plan cause of store policy but there's no technical reason. Initial startup has a wifi option. Also, both Verizon and Motorola have officially stated you do not need to sign up.
Another reason is that they most likely get a commission when they sell you a contract so of course they are trying to push it.
magicdroid said:
Is she trying to sell me something or is it true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before the Xoom launch, it had been required, but a few days before the official launch a memo was circulated that that requirement had been done away with. Maybe she didn't get the company-wide memo or read it.
Also, BestBuy is only selling it for $799 outright. They will not be doing the $599 with data plan deal like the Verizon stores are doing. Off contract pricing only.
funnycreature said:
Another reason is that they most likely get a commission when they sell you a contract so of course they are trying to push it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they don't get commissions. BBY does not pay commissions. Also products like tablets have been moved from the Mobile dept to the Computer dept, and the compter salespeople definitely are not paid commission, only hourly.
Someone was just not informed or didn't know their job properly or read up on the Xoom playbook launch memo. It happens.
fauxreal said:
Ok don't take this for %100 fact, but here is my two cents. If the Xoom is anything like the Galaxy Tab for Verizon this should be pretty accurate. I just sold my Galaxy Tab last night to a friend, I did a hard reset to get all my stuff off the device prior to giving it to him and when it booted back up I had to "activate" the device before I could use it again. In other words, you select a language and from there it takes you to a screen to activate the Tab, and unless you can connect to Verizons network (aka: pay them for a data subscription) you cannot activate the device or progress past this screen to actually use the tab. It is essentially a worthless device until this is complete. I had to call Verizon and have them hook the service back up to the device for literally less than 1 minute so I could activate it and then have them turn it back off right away. They will charge you for a full day of service of course, $1.16 to be exact. I made them credit it back to my acct however. No way I am paying a dollar something for 30 seconds of service just so I can sell it. I had read a statement from Verizon that they won't make you pay any charges if you purchase a Xoom there without getting a plan with it, but Best Buy may still be doing it. Sorry for the long post, hope it helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a bypass for the samsung also, but on the xoom you just select activate on wifi. No need for service.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
LordLugard said:
Before the Xoom launch, it had been required, but a few days before the official launch a memo was circulated that that requirement had been done away with. Maybe she didn't get the company-wide memo or read it.
Also, BestBuy is only selling it for $799 outright. They will not be doing the $599 with data plan deal like the Verizon stores are doing. Off contract pricing only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely true. I was able to get my xoom for $599 with a contract from best buy. They just had to price match it.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

AT&T blocking data connection ?

I got a nice SMS on March 18th from AT&T saying "An eligible data plan is required for Laptop, Tablet or MiFi devices. Call 611 as soon as possible for details and to avoid service interruption"
We are on 20th and I have no dtaa connection anymore
I happen to be paying the most expensive plan for my device (Coming from TP2), with an extra to have Exchange emails (Yeah can you believe you are charged extra for Exchange emails) and now.... I would have to pay even more because I use my SIUM in my tablet. WTF...
Maybe it's just me but if some of you have the same issue and found a workaround... Or maybe I should just step away from AT&T... F them...
Edit: Just got an SMS "Your data service has been restricted due to SIM swapping with a data Connect device". I pay 150$ a month for my data plan, calsl, etc... How much is not enough ????
I got the same thing. AT&T is now doing the same thing T-Mobile is doing. You cannot put a T-Mobile phone SIM in a T-Mobile tab, and, now, you cannot put an AT&T phone SIM (for example one with an unlimited data plan attached to it) into an AT&T tab.
It's all robbery.
My reaction to the text I got from AT&T was to erase, wipe, and flash my AT&T Galaxy Tab to Overcome 1.3.0, and then put my T-Mobile phone SIM into my AT&T Tab. Ha! THAT at least still works, since the two companies are separate.
And now, AT&T just bought T-Mobile! HA
Looks like after all the effort, I lose.
I am SO DONE with tablets and smartphones. Back to laptops and WiFi. The monopolies here in the U.S. are unbearable. And our government does nothing. No wonder the rest of the world hates us - we hate ourselves!
I got AT&T on the phone
The guy first explained me that technically tablets and phone cannot connect teh same way, etc, etc... So I asked him to stop the Bs#it because technically it was possible for 3 months... The guy I had on the phone was polite and pretty embarrassed...
I was straight forward explaining I don't mind paying for an extra tethering plan if that's what they want but I just want to carry around only ONE device, etc, etc... In the end he was very clear: they want us to use our tablet with a different plant and different SIM card. period
Now... for me it's clear they saw the IMEI of my device was different from the one I used to have so this + the fact I used a lot of Data may have triggered the detection... Or it is in the access point we use... But anyway/anyhow there is no way we cannot make our tablets appear as a Galaxy S or whatever other phone. Aside from the screen too much of the Hardware is similar to a phone not to be able to do something about it...
Meanwhile my data plan is frozen
I am SO pissed off. I can't believe I leave these guys 150$ a month and they can't even provide a decent service...
The worst: if I take a specific plan for my tab and trim down my phone plan it will cost me less
They are just F&*%#@ dumb and a terrible pain in the ass
Now let's work to "disguise" our Tab as a phone for AT&T connection...
I still think it has a lot to do with the Acces point setup... Or just the tethering... They guy on the phone was (maybe deliberately or not...) confusing about what was allowed and what was not... he was kind of implying that even if I get a tethering plan, tethering from my phone to my Tab would still be an issue if I don't use some kind of AT&T official tethering Software... (Weird...)
I am SO pissed off
I am thinking and if I go for the tethering plan I really don't see under which stupid claim they can block me... Sue it will cost more, but whatever...
Still this is justa shame
More AT&T fun I see.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
I Am Marino said:
More AT&T fun I see.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes... Teh problem is since they try to avoid users going around their stuff it is not even easy to understand what is allowed or not. Initially i brought a phone from abroad and was told I could use it on an illimited data plan... Fine. But now the guy on the phoen didnt even wnated to be clear whether I could use a non AT&T phone for my plan (So we're not even talking about the tab)
I think they may be targeting heavy users that dont show the same IMEIR as the one they registered. Or soemthign else.. probably can detect by the protocols used that we are not technically ona phone (But hey technically, aside teh screen tehre is no major difference betweena Galaxy tab and a Galaxy phone...)
They are targeting unlimited data plan users who are sim swapping. If you're on the 2gb or tethering 4gb plan you shouldn't see anything. People were putting their sims into laptops/netbooks and going nuts. It breaches the agreement with AT&T and they have the right to change your plan if you don't reply to them or stop sim swapping.
waltah! said:
They are targeting unlimited data plan users who are sim swapping. If you're on the 2gb or tethering 4gb plan you shouldn't see anything. People were putting their sims into laptops/netbooks and going nuts. It breaches the agreement with AT&T and they have the right to change your plan if you don't reply to them or stop sim swapping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not using it in a laptop but in my Tab. I use my Tab as my main phone and I ma pretty pissed off that AT&T decides which phone they like and don't like. It's not EVEN about the money: I proposed them to pay for a tethering plan (which would be stealing from me but whatever) and they do not even care
I would not even mind going for the 4Gb plan but that would mean giving up on voice services on my tab, ie would have to carry around two devices which i definitely do not want
Going the 4Gb plan + stripping down my phone to the cheapest plan AT&T has, would cost me less than I pay now... So it's not even a money issue. I am completely pissed off since I a ready to pay whatever they want but they do not seem to care
Anyway it's fine. They managed to kill the GTab and all other 7" tablets to come
They nearly succeeded by originally forbidding calls on it. They succeeded with this last measure
It was for me the perfect size between a phone and an iPad. If I cannot have Voice + illimited data on it I will just go for a large 4.3" phone
Thank you AT&T for killing progress and congratulation for displeasing customers who were actually ready to pay (Because in actual facts I was ready to pay more if it is what they wanted from me)
Alcibiade said:
Anyway it's fine. They managed to kill the GTab and all other 7" tablets to come
They nearly succeeded by originally forbidding calls on it. They succeeded with this last measure
It was for me the perfect size between a phone and an iPad. If I cannot have Voice + illimited data on it I will just go for a large 4.3" phone
Thank you AT&T for killing progress and congratulation for displeasing customers who were actually ready to pay (Because in actual facts I was ready to pay more if it is what they wanted from me)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat, Alcibiade. Never tether, just like the phone and tablet in one device.
Just got off the phone with our friends at AT&T and got the same message. Unfortunately, there is no 4GB plan for data devices like the Tab, just "phones". So I'm stuck with carrying a phone and a Tab until we figure out a way around this issue.
I got the same message from at&t too. I think the only workaround to this is to get the telstra or the other canadian tab that uses the 850 band. Anyone with the telstra tab want to do a trade for a like new at&t tab?
Believe me it pisses me off too, and I work there. lol
I'm planning on getting a GTab and was going to use it for voice occasionally so it kinda throws a kink in the works. I have the 4gb tethering plan. I really just want to be able to jump right on the Tab and use it without kicking the hotspot on so I'll just end up going down to the 2gb plan for my Atrix and the 2gb plan for the Tab. I wanted to carry one device when I wanted to, but I love my Atrix so I'm not sure how often I would do it anyway.
I believe AT&T doing the same as T-mobile by look up the IMEI. The IMEI database will match the phone you use. The only workaround is change the IMEI on the tab.
You will see the TAB Icon under your att account but I did not see that months ago....
Currently on the phone with att about the same issue...thing is im using an htc desire from telus...im not swapping my simcard with anything at all. They are saying my device is coming up as a telemetry unit which is therefore making the assumption of sim swapping. On the phone for an hour now and the geniuses still cant figure out how to fix the issue.
small9 said:
I believe AT&T doing the same as T-mobile by look up the IMEI. The IMEI database will match the phone you use. The only workaround is change the IMEI on the tab.
You will see the TAB Icon under your att account but I did not see that months ago....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure it's through the IMEI. How do they do if I use a foreign phone ? If it is that simple, we all know how to find a solution...
I hope they do not make me PAY for my data plan while I they block it, I would be even more pissed off
One point I do not get: if I pay for a Tethering plan (Which I don't but am considering if it can help), why the hell would they block me from using my plan the way I want. Illimited + tethering --> I use it on my tab or anything else doesn't matter (Could be my phone tethered to my laptop it would be the same)
jstdontgiva said:
Currently on the phone with att about the same issue...thing is im using an htc desire from telus...im not swapping my simcard with anything at all. They are saying my device is coming up as a telemetry unit which is therefore making the assumption of sim swapping. On the phone for an hour now and the geniuses still cant figure out how to fix the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny cause it's exactly what I told them: I have a foreign phone as well (On top of my Tab) and I bet them that my foreign phone would have the same issue
MMh so they either detect what we do with the IMEI or potentially the radio (Or a combination of both)
I feel really bad trying to find a workaround while what I ma doing is perfectly legit when it is on my TP2, or I am even ready to pay for their Tethering plan........
If the issue is just the IMEI, that can be easily solved... But I dont like to have to be sneaky when again I pay honetsly my stuff every month
If you find a solution for your telus please tell us
Yeah I got that text last night around 9 pm I nearly craped my self. I was like wtf. I have the unlimited data. it shouldn't matter what device my Sim is in.. I guess I'll see what the tab does with the Sim that it came with. my Nexus still works fine though. I checked the website today and they are doing Maintenance to the data section. figures.
hybred-nexus said:
Yeah I got that text last night around 9 pm I nearly craped my self. I was like wtf. I have the unlimited data. it shouldn't matter what device my Sim is in.. I guess I'll see what the tab does with the Sim that it came with. my Nexus still works fine though. I checked the website today and they are doing Maintenance to the data section. figures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am pretty sure my Tab fits ok within a 4Gb plan (I don't tether anyway). BUT I just dont wnat to carry aound 2 devices. My phone + teh Tab. And if I ahve to use their stupid plan / SIM card I will have to
I am surprised we don't see many more reactions. I thought a lot of us were doing Data + voice using their phone plans... Maybe not everybody was blocked yet. Or I just overestimate the number of US users using their tab like this. What's unbelievable is how other countries are managing the Tab vs the US (real pain here...)
Alcibiade said:
Funny cause it's exactly what I told them: I have a foreign phone as well (On top of my Tab) and I bet them that my foreign phone would have the same issue
MMh so they either detect what we do with the IMEI or potentially the radio (Or a combination of both)
I feel really bad trying to find a workaround while what I ma doing is perfectly legit when it is on my TP2, or I am even ready to pay for their Tethering plan........
If the issue is just the IMEI, that can be easily solved... But I dont like to have to be sneaky when again I pay honetsly my stuff every month
If you find a solution for your telus please tell us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After getting off the phone here was the scenario:
The guy admitted to me that he was not very familiar with what was going on, however I could tell he was still trying pretty hard to find out how to resolve the issue by calling other departments and he didnt have a bias towards me having an unlocked phone like I know ATT personel tend to have.
Basically there were 3 options
1. return the phone which I laughed in his face ( this was recommended not by him but by another person in a diff dept
2. Turn the internet back on with the risk of shutting off again ( which I did not do because he told my my account was now flagged for disuse of internet and could result in plenty of charges I wouldn't want.)
3. Wait until Tuesday for a call back from him since some1 has to manually put in my IMEI # and override the system, (which was apparently down)
I took option 3 with the hopes that this will be resolved by the time the rep gets back to me on Tues. If it doesn't go well my phone is basically useless and I will probably push for a free phone somehow. Best of luck to everybody else, I will update ASAP

Taking a Spring S4 over to Straight Talk?

Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!
it would appear I didn't do enough homework Looks like I've got my work cut out for me just to get the dang phone to work with Straight Talk.
Your best bet to get your CDMA phone working with them is to call customer service to check out the ESN. Or if you get good t-mobile or att reception in your area, you could always unlock it and pick up an att or tmo sim card to use.
There is this thread that shows how to unlock a Sprint S4 for domestic GSM carriers if you're interested...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
Dlnp22 said:
Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!
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Click to collapse
Again, on top of our private messages... I'm on straight talk and so far very happy. Only thing I can complain about is not having 4g...which I never had, so I've never experienced it. The flash service through ebay, the guy will take control of your PC and you can have it done when the flasher scheduled you a time. I bought my s4 on ebay with a bad ESN for like $389 a month after release. Also, the native hotspot doesnt work, but works once you flash the hotspot hack and use a widget from the playstore to turn it on/off it works perfectly. I personally use exlir 2 as my widget. I'm on a Sprint phone and it's flashed to Verizon's towers too, which is better in most areas. Other then that, for rooting/ROM purposes, I have zero issues. Signal/GPS is perfect. It even takes the OTA updates as long as your pure stock.:good: Using Odin .tar files is okay.
On second thought, the ebay service is illegal...your cloning a phone. Straight Talk thinks I have a Blackberry
KStyles69 said:
Again, on top of our private messages... I'm on straight talk and so far very happy. Only thing I can complain about is not having 4g...which I never had, so I've never experienced it. The flash service through ebay, the guy will take control of your PC and you can have it done when the flasher scheduled you a time. I bought my s4 on ebay with a bad ESN for like $389 a month after release. Also, the native hotspot doesnt work, but works once you flash the hotspot hack and use a widget from the playstore to turn it on/off it works perfectly. I personally use exlir 2 as my widget. I'm on a Sprint phone and it's flashed to Verizon's towers too, which is better in most areas. Other then that, for rooting/ROM purposes, I have zero issues. Signal/GPS is perfect. It even takes the OTA updates as long as your pure stock.:good: Using Odin .tar files is okay.
On second thought, the ebay service is illegal...your cloning a phone. Straight Talk thinks I have a Blackberry
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Click to collapse
I know I'm late in responding, but you made a point I found out after the fact. No 4G when taking the CDMA phone over to Straight Talk. This was a deal killer for me. I've since turned the phone on craigslist, and am looking for an AT&T version now
My only question is- How do you flash for specific towers?
congrats
Dlnp22 said:
Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
congrats on being out of contract...I love straighttalk, paid a whole year off at once......use hotspot often...last month got 90 gb of data usage....I used my tmo note 2....but I have 2 sprint s4's that I would love to take to ST....if it works out well for you please let me know
oclark1011 said:
congrats on being out of contract...I love straighttalk, paid a whole year off at once......use hotspot often...last month got 90 gb of data usage....I used my tmo note 2....but I have 2 sprint s4's that I would love to take to ST....if it works out well for you please let me know
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Click to collapse
1 week in and LOVING it. So long VZW.

[Q] Why does this guy want money to "fix" my Note 3?

I have a Note 3 from my old, expired, contract with Sprint. I'm still shopping around for a better carrier in my area. In the mean time I opened service with a company called Metro PCS. As a side note this also lets me evaluate T-mobile's network (since I believe they are on the same network).
An employee at the local dealership checked out my Note 3 and said it would totally work with their network, IF I payed him $75 to do some "magic" to the phone. Ok then... He promised it worked and had a few examples on a shelf that he'd worked on for others to show me.
I got him to lower the price to $40 and signed my phone over (I'm not kidding, I made him sign an agreement...as legal as that really is xD), then a couple days later he tells me he can't set it up because it's running the custom cyanogen rom I have on it.
Now I'm wondering two things....
Why would my rom cause an issue???
And wtf was he going to do anyways???
I work 5 days a week and don't have much free time to screw with all of this stuff. That's a big reason I was down to shell out some cash for it to just "work".
Does anyone have any clue what this dude was up to? And what should I do next?
Thanks folks!
P.S. I'd re-install stock rom if it wasn't such a piece of s#!t
Maybe he would flash some files that could open for your new network. And it was made for stock roms? That's why he can't do it for you on CM.
Get your phone back.
Maybe some one can help you here with unlocking your device.
jcanuet said:
I have a Note 3 from my old, expired, contract with Sprint. I'm still shopping around for a better carrier in my area. In the mean time I opened service with a company called Metro PCS. As a side note this also lets me evaluate T-mobile's network (since I believe they are on the same network).
An employee at the local dealership checked out my Note 3 and said it would totally work with their network, IF I payed him $75 to do some "magic" to the phone. Ok then... He promised it worked and had a few examples on a shelf that he'd worked on for others to show me.
I got him to lower the price to $40 and signed my phone over (I'm not kidding, I made him sign an agreement...as legal as that really is xD), then a couple days later he tells me he can't set it up because it's running the custom cyanogen rom I have on it.
Now I'm wondering two things....
Why would my rom cause an issue???
And wtf was he going to do anyways???
I work 5 days a week and don't have much free time to screw with all of this stuff. That's a big reason I was down to shell out some cash for it to just "work".
Does anyone have any clue what this dude was up to? And what should I do next?
Thanks folks!
P.S. I'd re-install stock rom if it wasn't such a piece of s#!t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He probably is charging for the network unlock code.

Samsung Galaxy yearly upgrade

Messaged VZW On FB. Asked about my "upgrade" since we are almost forced to change phones. Was told if I downgrade aka upgrade to a s7 edge I would waste my upgrade. And be locked into the device agreement on that phone. Then asked about the yearly Galaxy upgrade she send me the link and after reading into it we are no longer eligible. As of 9/10/16 we cannot be apart of this. Took a screenshot of it. So I expressed my feelings to vzw. They didn't have much to say about wasting a downgrade and if we would be eligible for early upgrade due to our situation. Might go to BB For that TV. And the $100 for swapping to another Samsung.
I never knew this was a thing. And now I'm sad. They're really going to have to re-think our ineligibility now that we're being forced to switch devices. They should really honor the original purchase date on the first round of Note 7s so that people who pre-ordered or received a Note 7 before the 9/10/16 date would be included if they ended up switching to an S7 or S7E because of the recall.
Exactly why I'm not giving up my note 7. We essentially get screwed over. It's bullish!t
Use the carrier switching technology..
Switch to Tmobile or ATT and then switch back.. Yes a bit of hassle but you get a new phone of your choice..
This does not apply to people on the older (read unavailable/legacy) plans..
Yes there's always that option lol!
I ordered the S7 Edge thinking I was good to upgrade in a year. When I saw this I called to cancel and the Verizon rep said even if I took the S7 as my upgrade I'd still be eligible to upgrade later at any time because they haulted/ saved all upgrades due to the recall. I asked if he could email that to me, he said he can't email out but would save the notes and give me his user Id. I went ahead and canceled anyway, screw the useless credits, I want my Note and the ability to upgrade later.
I just left a store, I went to inquire about swapping out to a s7 edge or possibly a note 5. My question was if say in 3 months a phone came out that I actually wanted, would I be able to upgrade without penalty.
So after chatting for about 5 minutes with the manager, I don't get an answer to my actual question, but am told that I can call customer service and I "SHOULD" be able to upgrade to a s7e with no penalty for this swap. However if i wanted to (upgrade in store) I would have to pay the balance of my note 7 up to half of the total value.
WHAT!
So for a DOWNGRADE I don't want, that I'm basically being forced to take I would have to pay off half the phone you say I must return to you?
Wth
shizumie said:
I just left a store, I went to inquire about swapping out to a s7 edge or possibly a note 5. My question was if say in 3 months a phone came out that I actually wanted, would I be able to upgrade without penalty.
So after chatting for about 5 minutes with the manager, I don't get an answer to my actual question, but am told that I can call customer service and I "SHOULD" be able to upgrade to a s7e with no penalty for this swap. However if i wanted to (upgrade in store) I would have to pay the balance of my note 7 up to half of the total value.
WHAT!
So for a DOWNGRADE I don't want, that I'm basically being forced to take I would have to pay off half the phone you say I must return to you?
Wth
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That person was mistaken. Amazing how wrong they continue to get it.
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
dottat said:
That person was mistaken. Amazing how wrong they continue to get it.
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, I have read to many accounts of people walking in, getting a 2nd phone and leaving with both (to wait on a fireproof shipping container for n7) only paying an upgrade fee or taxes, to be returned upon receipt of n7.
I truly hate vzw, but where I live / work there is no other viable option.
Yeah there is no right answer at this point. They're just blowing smoke up our azz's until something gets figured out. The tech I talked to basically agreed with everything I said, first saying he too had a note 7 and also cancelled the order, then later said he might cancel the order. I find it hard to believe that after accepting an upgrade I'll still magically have another upgrade available to use anytime I want. If that were the case I could just keep upgrading over and over. What's the upgrade limit, will we be able to keep our original upgrade eligibility date from when we bought and activated our Note 7, what actually happens if we decide not to upgrade right now... These are the golden questions.

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