About to switch to the VZW S7 Edge, have some questions regarding firmwares - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Questions & Answers

I'm about to purchase a S7 Edge so I've been poking around these forums trying to figure if I should/if I can modify it once I get it. I'm no stranger to rooting, unlocking, and installing custom ROMs on my previous phones but I'm trying to keep things relatively stock this time around. However, I will definitely want to root and potentially unlock the bootloader. After poking around here I have some questions:
1. I'm seeing different firmwares being talked about all over the place. What exactly are these firmwares? Are they OTA updates from Verizon? These aren't full ROMs or software updates, right?
2. I know Samsung has said that M is coming for the S7, but I also know that it's probably going to take forever for Samsung to get it out, and then it's going to take forever and a day for Verizon to approve/mangle it how they see fit. So I'm wondering if you guys think there will be a quicker upgrade path to N for those of us who are able to tinker with out phones like this. I'm talking Samsung N, not something like CM14. Though I'm not entirely opposed to a stock-based firmware, we'll see how much TouchWiz wares on me.
Thanks for any help!

1. There are only two types, the Verizon firmware and the U (for Unlocked) firmware. You should know what Verizon's always have in their software, but the Unlocked is the international variant that's much cleaner but also lacks features like Wi-Fi calling and visual voicemail.
2. The S7 and S7 Edge already comes with Marshmallow out of the box, if that's what you're asking? And TouchWiz isn't that bad especially how much they've cleaned it up for this year.

GigaSPX said:
1. There are only two types, the Verizon firmware and the U (for Unlocked) firmware. You should know what Verizon's always have in their software, but the Unlocked is the international variant that's much cleaner but also lacks features like Wi-Fi calling and visual voicemail.
2. The S7 and S7 Edge already comes with Marshmallow out of the box, if that's what you're asking? And TouchWiz isn't that bad especially how much they've cleaned it up for this year.
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Click to collapse
Ok, thanks. And I actually meant Nougat, not Marshmallow.

Is the latest software still rootable?

Related

Where to pre-order 820?

I want to pre-order the new S7 Edge but im from europe and I want the SD820 chip. Mostly because of it's easier to mod so developers will give more love to that.
Does anyone know where I can do this?
Makes no sense at all. If a phone ever cried out for non-stock to be avoided, it's this. You will lose all Samsung features like Edge and the camera features and quality will be s**t in comparison. If you're bothered about running AOSP or CM this isn't the phone for you regardless of what chip set it has in it.
Beefheart said:
Makes no sense at all. If a phone ever cried out for non-stock to be avoided, it's this. You will lose all Samsung features like Edge and the camera features and quality will be s**t in comparison. If you're bothered about running AOSP or CM this isn't the phone for you regardless of what chip set it has in it.
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Click to collapse
Not completely true. To be fair he just said modding. Not flashing Stock (AOSP) ROMs, Kernels, etc...
An "clean" TW ROM is always welcomed and usually the best of both worlds.
Except clean stock doesn't require an open source chip set. It's just as easy to debloat stock on Exynos as it is on Snapdragon.
Beefheart said:
Except clean stock doesn't require an open source chip set. It's just as easy to debloat stock on Exynos as it is on Snapdragon.
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Click to collapse
Eh... Got me there.
Beefheart said:
Makes no sense at all. If a phone ever cried out for non-stock to be avoided, it's this. You will lose all Samsung features like Edge and the camera features and quality will be s**t in comparison. If you're bothered about running AOSP or CM this isn't the phone for you regardless of what chip set it has in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you - for me I wouldn't spend a ton of money on a phone only to lose many of the special features - but at the end of the day, it's his call what he does with his phone - and if he prefers running a clean AOSP rom or even just modded touch wiz, it;s his call - regardless - it probably won't be easy for him to find an unlocked snapdragon model - at least not early on - maybe after it's been out for a while...
I believe the Verizon version would be the best one to get to support most of the spectrum around the world, but Verizon will lock that bootloader. I bought the T-Mobile version outright and will probably get mine unlocked a couple days after I get it(paid outright and meet requirements)
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
If anyone has an answer to the OP's question I am curious also
After the 810 I dont want a snapdragon ever again. Glad my country is getting the 8890.
At echoe they already said they will develop for thz exynos variant cuz most part of their theam is from europe so thats asewome! [emoji3]
Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-N920C met Tapatalk
@Beefheart Just to clarify:
With regards to the S7 Edge, its best to leave it untouched with regards to custom roms & kernels otherwise "Edge" features will be lost ?
SlyUK said:
@Beefheart Just to clarify:
With regards to the S7 Edge, its best to leave it untouched with regards to custom roms & kernels otherwise "Edge" features will be lost ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The edge features, as far as I'm aware, require Samsung libraries, which are closed source and can't be used outside of stock Touchwiz roms. It's for the same reason S-Pen features in non-stock roms on the Note series of devices can't be used and require third party software (SPenCommand for example).
Beefheart said:
Yes. The edge features, as far as I'm aware, require Samsung libraries, which are closed source and can't be used outside of stock Touchwiz roms. It's for the same reason S-Pen features in non-stock roms on the Note series of devices can't be used and require third party software (SPenCommand for example).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would that be the case also with a custom rom that was based on the Stock rom but was "debloated" ?
mocsab said:
I agree with you - for me I wouldn't spend a ton of money on a phone only to lose many of the special features - but at the end of the day, it's his call what he does with his phone - and if he prefers running a clean AOSP rom or even just modded touch wiz, it;s his call - regardless - it probably won't be easy for him to find an unlocked snapdragon model - at least not early on - maybe after it's been out for a while...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it's his money and his choice, he can buy an S7 Edge and use it as a paperweight if he wishes to. But this is a forum for discussion, and I'm simply pointing out that, in my opinion with 6 years experience of using and modifying Android devices, it wouldn't make any sense to buy an S7 Edge if he wants to use non-stock roms. It defeats the object of paying the premium on a device like this in the first place.
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 PM ----------
SlyUK said:
Would that be the case also with a custom rom that was based on the Stock rom but was "debloated" ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify, for me a "custom rom" means non-stock. Perhaps not entirely accurate but that is how I've always viewed the phrase. But to answer your question, no. That would be a debloated and minimised stock rom, and any desired features of Samsung vanilla stock could be included as the required libraries are still intact.
Beefheart said:
Of course it's his money and his choice, he can buy an S7 Edge and use it as a paperweight if he wishes to. But this is a forum for discussion, and I'm simply pointing out that, in my opinion with 6 years experience of using and modifying Android devices, it wouldn't make any sense to buy an S7 Edge if he wants to use non-stock roms. It defeats the object of paying the premium on a device like this in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course you are right, but he is not alone - there are lots of people who do what he plans to do no matter what we think ..and despite the many advantages and tools that are built into one of these phones, a high end phone with the kind of quality that is built into an S7 or Note 5 or whatever - is still an amazing phone when it uses a different system - AOSP or whatever - so I don't fault yuo for making your point - but it is likely that in his and many other cases it falls on deaf ears
Beefheart said:
Of course it's his money and his choice, he can buy an S7 Edge and use it as a paperweight if he wishes to. But this is a forum for discussion, and I'm simply pointing out that, in my opinion with 6 years experience of using and modifying Android devices, it wouldn't make any sense to buy an S7 Edge if he wants to use non-stock roms. It defeats the object of paying the premium on a device like this in the first place.
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 PM ----------
Just to clarify, for me a "custom rom" means non-stock. Perhaps not entirely accurate but that is how I've always viewed the phrase. But to answer your question, no. That would be a debloated and minimised stock rom, and any desired features of Samsung vanilla stock could be included as the required libraries are still intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't quite sure of the terminology to use for a slimmed down, debloated rom based on the official stock rom, so used the word custom to be on the safe side. Thanks for answering that, gives reassurance.
SlyUK said:
I wasn't quite sure of the terminology to use for a slimmed down, debloated rom based on the official stock rom, so used the word custom to be on the safe side. Thanks for answering that, gives reassurance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's worth noting that, to install such a rom, the knox flag would have to be tripped. On Samsung Marshmallow, the only way to avoid tripping knox when installing a new build is to use Odin, which can only be used to install vanilla stock. And to use tools like FlashFire to install a build, you need to be rooted, a process which in itself trips the knox flag so you may as well install TWRP or CWM and install via a zip in recovery.
im also one of a guy waiting for S7edge with S820 from outside of US so i felt the pain and confusion of the way Sammy doing. As one of a guy responded in Reddit chat is to start ordering UNLOCKED SIM Samsung S7 from ebay would be the easiest and fastest option...
Below is the one that I am watching closely. As it said Pre-order, I am a bit afraid of the RISK of ordering a phone that cost >1000$ without seeing actual unlocked & S820 phone as they mention.
[EDIT: can't put links due to lower posts count] googled this eBay item number:281944393668
Here is some other options
to Confirm: you might have to wait for unlocked version from Samsung to released in US since all the US carriers will delay the unlocked version so that mostly can able to attract customer by offering them insensitive to stay in their network.
to Confirm: As far as I knew, US is the ONLY country which S7 variant will come with S820. The rest will ONLY get Exynos version in it with Dual SIMs supported.
to Confirm: As far as I found online is that there is no unique model number which will be the UNLOCKED version of S7 is surfaced in Internet. All the model numbers of US variant are for tied with each US Carriers. So it is possible that US will never get unlocked version of S7 with S820.
to Confirm: some people said they can ask their US carrier to unlock their locked S7 after a period of time using.
ted_O_o said:
im also one of a guy waiting for S7edge with S820 from outside of US so i felt the pain and confusion of the way Sammy doing. As one of a guy responded in Reddit chat is to start ordering UNLOCKED SIM Samsung S7 from ebay would be the easiest and fastest option...
Below is the one that I am watching closely. As it said Pre-order, I am a bit afraid of the RISK of ordering a phone that cost >1000$ without seeing actual unlocked & S820 phone as they mention.
[EDIT: can't put links due to lower posts count] googled this eBay item number:281944393668
Here is some other options
to Confirm: you might have to wait for unlocked version from Samsung to released in US since all the US carriers will delay the unlocked version so that mostly can able to attract customer by offering them insensitive to stay in their network.
to Confirm: As far as I knew, US is the ONLY country which S7 variant will come with S820. The rest will ONLY get Exynos version in it with Dual SIMs supported.
to Confirm: As far as I found online is that there is no unique model number which will be the UNLOCKED version of S7 is surfaced in Internet. All the model numbers of US variant are for tied with each US Carriers. So it is possible that US will never get unlocked version of S7 with S820.
to Confirm: some people said they can ask their US carrier to unlock their locked S7 after a period of time using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are referring to this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-UNLOCKE...393668?hash=item41a53207c4:g:NhIAAOSwFNZWzWSU
No was not really thinking about a new rom if disabling touchwiz is possible. I had my mind more into rooting and xposed.

Purchase Advice

So, I currently own an S6 on Verizon that I've left on whatever the most recent rootable firmware is. It has frustrated me to the point where I am about done with it.
I am looking into the S7 (or the edge, but we'll limit this discussion to the regular and assume that the discussions will translate to the edge), either the 930V or the 930U on Verizon. The cost is secondary to performance, features, and the ability to root the device and keep it rooted. Mainly I just need advice on the root front. I have skimmed the root threads enough to see that non-knox-tripping rooting is possible. I can deal with the lack of custom ROMs given the ability to install XPOSED and other general root stuff. However, I'd rather not end up with the same problem I've had on the Verizon S6, wherein I haven't been able to update past 5.02 in order to keep my root. What is the outlook for these devices in terms of root? Does it look like they will be able to take updates from Samsung or Verizon while maintaining root access (or reacquire root after updates)?
Secondly, given the desire to do whatever work is needed, is one or the other objectively better in terms of root ability, or in terms of features? I've read that some of the Verizon special network features aren't available on the U/V with U firmware, but that they might can be restored, however, this isn't a complete dealbreaker either way.
tl;dr: Given that staying on VZW is mandatory, and my concerns are: ability to root and also still take updates > performance and features > pretty much anything else, is either the 930U or the 930V the phone for me?
dustfinger314 said:
So, I currently own an S6 on Verizon that I've left on whatever the most recent rootable firmware is. It has frustrated me to the point where I am about done with it.
I am looking into the S7 (or the edge, but we'll limit this discussion to the regular and assume that the discussions will translate to the edge), either the 930V or the 930U on Verizon. The cost is secondary to performance, features, and the ability to root the device and keep it rooted. Mainly I just need advice on the root front. I have skimmed the root threads enough to see that non-knox-tripping rooting is possible. I can deal with the lack of custom ROMs given the ability to install XPOSED and other general root stuff. However, I'd rather not end up with the same problem I've had on the Verizon S6, wherein I haven't been able to update past 5.02 in order to keep my root. What is the outlook for these devices in terms of root? Does it look like they will be able to take updates from Samsung or Verizon while maintaining root access (or reacquire root after updates)?
Secondly, given the desire to do whatever work is needed, is one or the other objectively better in terms of root ability, or in terms of features? I've read that some of the Verizon special network features aren't available on the U/V with U firmware, but that they might can be restored, however, this isn't a complete dealbreaker either way.
tl;dr: Given that staying on VZW is mandatory, and my concerns are: ability to root and also still take updates > performance and features > pretty much anything else, is either the 930U or the 930V the phone for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy a nexus. If you want to ensure root for a long time a nexus is your best bet.
Sent from my SM-G930V using XDA-Developers mobile app
That's definitely a possibility, but if the risk of losing root is moderate to low, I'd be willing to take the risk for the power and features that you get from a flagship. I have really liked the features my galaxies have had (quality of hardware like screen, camera, fingerprint sensor; hardware/ capacitive keys; even some of Touchwiz, such as the quick toggle format), and am hesitant to go backwards in those terms.
I just got a upgrade from the S6 to the S7 and the s7 is a much better phone. Battery life is much improved among things.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
wwonka69 said:
I just got a upgrade from the S6 to the S7 and the s7 is a much better phone. Battery life is much improved among things.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlesd you really need to root, I would avoid it. The battery life is still suspect. Look at the U firmware if you are interested.
Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk
This may not be a good phone for your priorities (meaning any US S7): The s7 root relies on a bootloader exploit. We don't yet know if that exploit will carry over to/be renewed for Android 7. If not, then you may be stuck on Android 6 for S7 root. We don't yet know if future US builds will support the engineering boot-loader or the exploit as Samsung hasn't released a new US S7 carrier build since. We should expect all the new security features of the Note 7 to pass on to the S7.
dustfinger314 said:
So, I currently own an S6 on Verizon that I've left on whatever the most recent rootable firmware is. It has frustrated me to the point where I am about done with it.
I am looking into the S7 (or the edge, but we'll limit this discussion to the regular and assume that the discussions will translate to the edge), either the 930V or the 930U on Verizon. The cost is secondary to performance, features, and the ability to root the device and keep it rooted. Mainly I just need advice on the root front. I have skimmed the root threads enough to see that non-knox-tripping rooting is possible. I can deal with the lack of custom ROMs given the ability to install XPOSED and other general root stuff. However, I'd rather not end up with the same problem I've had on the Verizon S6, wherein I haven't been able to update past 5.02 in order to keep my root. What is the outlook for these devices in terms of root? Does it look like they will be able to take updates from Samsung or Verizon while maintaining root access (or reacquire root after updates)?
Secondly, given the desire to do whatever work is needed, is one or the other objectively better in terms of root ability, or in terms of features? I've read that some of the Verizon special network features aren't available on the U/V with U firmware, but that they might can be restored, however, this isn't a complete dealbreaker either way.
tl;dr: Given that staying on VZW is mandatory, and my concerns are: ability to root and also still take updates > performance and features > pretty much anything else, is either the 930U or the 930V the phone for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in your boat. I have a rooted S6 running great on CleanROM/OE2 base. Phone has been rock solid for over a year - longest I've ever kept one phone and never been tempted to upgrade. It started to stutter and lag, so I did a data reset and its again running phenomenal with very few performance/battery tweaks.
I thought I'd pick up an S7, for the larger battery capacity more than anything, and also just thinking that a battery with a year less of use would be an improvement. So far I am not impressed with the S7. I followed all the guides (root, debloat, tuning) but have been getting pretty bad battery life.
I just reset back to stock last night and followed a different guide to de-bloat the phone on un-rooted firmware. We will see how it goes. If it doesn't work out great, I think I am selling the S7 and going back to the S6. I may experiment with the G930U firmware, but I appreciate HD calling.
I am going to try to do a somewhat comparative battery test using each phone for a day with similar use, and see what one performs better. Not sure the S7 will win, let alone justify a $150 price difference.
My CleanROM S6 is the best phone I have ever had so far. I was hoping the S7 would expand on that with better battery life.

All things root and Bootloader?

Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
ProFragger said:
Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely nothing has changed on root (only possible due to ENG kernel) and bootloader unlock (which is not yet possible).
1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No idea about all models. For the t-mobile one, please check: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/guide-installing-xposed-framework-t3414718
You can use the search feature in xda for finding out
CravingMender9 said:
Absolutely nothing has changed on root (only possible due to ENG kernel) and bootloader unlock (which is not yet possible).
1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No idea about all models. For the t-mobile one, please check: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/guide-installing-xposed-framework-t3414718
You can use the search feature in xda for finding out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey bud, thanks for getting the ball rolling on these questions. If you could add some more information, I'd appreciate it :
If we still don't have a way to Root or Unlock bootloader, how are these ROMs (Echo, Tek, and other stock ROMs) available with root? And how are these flashed? Are we somehow bypassing the BL by using FlashFire?
Can you also educate me on the U Firmware and why people install it and is it reverseable?
Lastly, if I got a T-Mobile variant for example, installed these ROMs Tek, Echo, etc, can I return to Stock completely and return to T-Mobile, by any chance for them to take it back? Thank you again!
for the t mobile variant, I was able to flash the U firmware and flash back to stock t mobile. NOTE: I did not flash the U bootloader. I kept the T mobile bootloader just be sure I could flash back to stock t mobile(APK1). I'm sure this method would work with other carriers as well. so what ever variant you have, make sure you stay on that BL and only flash the U firmware CSC and AP. As for the CP(modem) I would flash your carriers latest CP file. That's what worked best for me with the U firmware. Currently I'm using the latest nougat BETA
Thank you very much for your response, bud. One last follow up question: Since all the US variants are rooting based on the ENG Kernel, is there really a benefit of getting one variant over another, for rooting or etc purposes?
P. S. May I ask why you flashed the U Firmware? What are the advantages of it? ?
ProFragger said:
Thank you very much for your response, bud. One last follow up question: Since all the US variants are rooting based on the ENG Kernel, is there really a benefit of getting one variant over another, for rooting or etc purposes?
P. S. May I ask why you flashed the U Firmware? What are the advantages of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The u firmware basically does not include all of the software that is usually included with the phone. For example.. Tmobile with their software on it, Verizon att etc... Makes the phone a bit snappier especially if you were to root. Even tho I hope for a more stable root still. I am rooted at the moment. Wish they didn't recall the note 7 because the root on that was better
ProFragger said:
Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're confused. At least, you were.
We do not have an "unlocked Bootloader" and we never did. We had an engineering kernel. That engineering kernel allows certain commands that enabled us to acquire root access. But without that kernel, the system (with the original kernel or boot partition) checks for any changes in the /system partition. If any are found it triggers a bootloop. So basically, if you want root we MUST have the engineering kernel. Unless someone else finds another way that's just the way that it is.
Personally, I unrooted and went back to stock. Root was okay at first but with the lack of development, Samsung Pay and the fact that Android 7+ will probably not be seeing root... well... time to accept the fact that Samsung owns the phone even though we bought it. What else can we do?
nitroevo said:
The u firmware basically does not include all of the software that is usually included with the phone. For example.. Tmobile with their software on it, Verizon att etc... Makes the phone a bit snappier especially if you were to root. Even tho I hope for a more stable root still. I am rooted at the moment. Wish they didn't recall the note 7 because the root on that was better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Binary100100 said:
You're confused. At least, you were.
We do not have an "unlocked Bootloader" and we never did. We had an engineering kernel. That engineering kernel allows certain commands that enabled us to acquire root access. But without that kernel, the system (with the original kernel or boot partition) checks for any changes in the /system partition. If any are found it triggers a bootloop. So basically, if you want root we MUST have the engineering kernel. Unless someone else finds another way that's just the way that it is.
Personally, I unrooted and went back to stock. Root was okay at first but with the lack of development, Samsung Pay and the fact that Android 7+ will probably not be seeing root... well... time to accept the fact that Samsung owns the phone even though we bought it. What else can we do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your helpful responses fellas. I understand root is not perfect, but for some folks like me, Xposed seems to be worth the trouble. For Samsung Pay, I intend to use the Gear S3 one day ?.
Final question, since all US Snapdragon models are using the engineering kernel to root and etc... Is there a benefit of getting one carrier variant, over another? For example, Verizon is usually the cheapest. Is it wise to get that, with the U Firmware, to use on AT&T? Thanks!
ProFragger said:
For Samsung Pay, I intend to use the Gear S3 one day .
Final question, since all US Snapdragon models are using the engineering kernel to root and etc... Is there a benefit of getting one carrier variant, over another? For example, Verizon is usually the cheapest. Is it wise to get that, with the U Firmware, to use on AT&T? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know if that works out for you then.
I just purchased the S2 Classic (on T-Mobile) and use Samsung Pay quite a bit. But I can tell you that it does open Samsung Pay on the phone and if you are rooted, Samsung Pay will not work at all. So I'm not sure if it will work at all for you even with the S3.
In regards to your other inquiry, I haven't tried the U firmware. I read something about data issues, no wifi calling (which is pretty important to me), no hotspot (which is also really important to me) but I heard that it is really fast. Not sure how much of that is still a problem but you should probably read up on it before doing anything first. But the rooting method is all the same between carriers I believe. All require the engineering kernel and breaks Samsung Pay along with a couple of other apps.
Just make back ups, have a stock firmware available to flash with ODIN just in case and remember that it's almost impossible to brick this device (because we don't have an unlocked bootloader.)
Binary100100 said:
Let me know if that works out for you then.
I just purchased the S2 Classic (on T-Mobile) and use Samsung Pay quite a bit. But I can tell you that it does open Samsung Pay on the phone and if you are rooted, Samsung Pay will not work at all. So I'm not sure if it will work at all for you even with the S3.
In regards to your other inquiry, I haven't tried the U firmware. I read something about data issues, no wifi calling (which is pretty important to me), no hotspot (which is also really important to me) but I heard that it is really fast. Not sure how much of that is still a problem but you should probably read up on it before doing anything first. But the rooting method is all the same between carriers I believe. All require the engineering kernel and breaks Samsung Pay along with a couple of other apps.
Just make back ups, have a stock firmware available to flash with ODIN just in case and remember that it's almost impossible to brick this device (because we don't have an unlocked bootloader.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again for a helpful post. So the S3 has a dedicated MST/NFC chip in it, that allows for Samsung Pay to work from the watch, it's done through the Gear app. That's what I have read.
About the rest of it, again, curious to see if there is one US variant, superior to another in terms of Root capabilities or bands and radios available and etc? Can anyone confirm this for me?
Thanks!
ProFragger said:
Thank you again for a helpful post. So the S3 has a dedicated MST/NFC chip in it, that allows for Samsung Pay to work from the watch, it's done through the Gear app. That's what I have read.
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Click to collapse
So does the S2.
When I was setting up the Samsung Pay on my watch it said that it had to download an update.
Then I went through the setup process through my phone which was from the Samsung Pay app.
You go to "Add card" on your watch and it opens Samsung Pay on your phone.
You click "Next" and it displays your Samsung account information.
Then it takes you to a screen that says "Setup complete" telling you that you're ready to use it and at the bottom says "Add card"
You do that all from the Samsung Pay app on your phone which leads me to suspect that if you root your phone, you won't be able to use Samsung Pay on your watch.
People on this thread that you have to set it all up first, remove the Samsung Pay app on the phone but leave it on the watch. If it's all done correctly then it should work. Just make sure you get it all set up first.
Next thing that I'm going to try is using my watch in "Standalone" with my phone out of bluetooth or wifi range. See if that still works.
ProFragger said:
About the rest of it, again, curious to see if there is one US variant, superior to another in terms of Root capabilities or bands and radios available and etc? Can anyone confirm this for me?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, the U firmware permits use of some other bands that aren't normally used. Not sure which ones though.
Binary100100 said:
So does the S2.
When I was setting up the Samsung Pay on my watch it said that it had to download an update.
Then I went through the setup process through my phone which was from the Samsung Pay app.
You go to "Add card" on your watch and it opens Samsung Pay on your phone.
You click "Next" and it displays your Samsung account information.
Then it takes you to a screen that says "Setup complete" telling you that you're ready to use it and at the bottom says "Add card"
You do that all from the Samsung Pay app on your phone which leads me to suspect that if you root your phone, you won't be able to use Samsung Pay on your watch.
People on this thread that you have to set it all up first, remove the Samsung Pay app on the phone but leave it on the watch. If it's all done correctly then it should work. Just make sure you get it all set up first.
Next thing that I'm going to try is using my watch in "Standalone" with my phone out of bluetooth or wifi range. See if that still works.
As far as I know, the U firmware permits use of some other bands that aren't normally used. Not sure which ones though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the correction/education on the S2, bud, much appreciated. I wonder if the rooted phone works with the S3, because Samsung has allowed many other non Samsung phones to know work with the S3? But I could be wrong, I thought it was open like that with the S2 as well, no? Looking forward to your testing, hope there is a breakthrough in there! ?
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
xVermicide said:
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or a Exynos S7.
Binary100100 said:
Or a Exynos S7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly this. except for some reason I thought exynos variants are lacking certain bands/features on American networks. could be wrong.
xVermicide said:
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Binary100100 said:
Or a Exynos S7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xVermicide said:
exactly this. except for some reason I thought exynos variants are lacking certain bands/features on American networks. could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very helpful inputs guys, thank you! If I were to be honest with myself, I don't want AOSP/CM/Lineage, especially on a Samsung phone, so unlocked bootloader is not a deal breaker for me. However, I think root is cool for me for doing some SystemUI tweaks, Xposed and etc. Exynos was an option I was exploring, but lack of warranty, no Samsung Pay, and the price are enough to keep me at bay. I think I just need to put my big boy pants on and try to use a phone without rooting it. Something I have yet to do in EVER using an Android phone since about 10 years ago, and I have never ever used or bought an iCrap... I mean... an iPhone !
ProFragger said:
Very helpful inputs guys, thank you! If I were to be honest with myself, I don't want AOSP/CM/Lineage, especially on a Samsung phone, so unlocked bootloader is not a deal breaker for me. However, I think root is cool for me for doing some SystemUI tweaks, Xposed and etc. Exynos was an option I was exploring, but lack of warranty, no Samsung Pay, and the price are enough to keep me at bay. I think I just need to put my big boy pants on and try to use a phone without rooting it. Something I have yet to do in EVER using an Android phone since about 10 years ago, and I have never ever used or bought an iCrap... I mean... an iPhone !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a One+ 3T good development and really nice phone if you want root. Root is dead on Samsung phones and so are ROMs.
So by reading thru this thread, I assume having a T-mobile S7E (G935T) rooting is pointless and really not available the way I'm used to it coming from a Note 4. That's kind of a bummer... I've been using Android and have always had ROOT and all the goodies that come with it. And I recently starting really enjoying my Note 4 with all the cool development in Note 7 ported roms oh well... I wonder if the S7E is enough of an upgrade to keep my interest as stock?
I see there is a G935U firmware, but that seems a bit hit and miss? But I'm just starting to read up on all this... :good:
ShrekOpher said:
Get a One+ 3T good development and really nice phone if you want root. Root is dead on Samsung phones and so are ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe me bud, if Oneplus 5 or even 3T had an SD Card, I'd already have that phone, but thanks for your wisdom !
Araltd said:
So by reading thru this thread, I assume having a T-mobile S7E (G935T) rooting is pointless and really not available the way I'm used to it coming from a Note 4. That's kind of a bummer... I've been using Android and have always had ROOT and all the goodies that come with it. And I recently starting really enjoying my Note 4 with all the cool development in Note 7 ported roms oh well... I wonder if the S7E is enough of an upgrade to keep my interest as stock?
I see there is a G935U firmware, but that seems a bit hit and miss? But I'm just starting to read up on all this... :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You and I both man... The last few years, I have lived off the mercy of T-Mobile and their BLs being unlocked. But Samsung sure done them all in ! Even the International unlocked ones disable Samsung Pay (forever, mind you!) if Knox is tripped, which I believe it is, when rooted and TWRP'd.
As I understand it,
Android pay / Samsung pay is why they frown on rooting now. I can understand it, though I don't agree with it.
The first time someone's financial information is compromised, and they've ever used one of the "pay" methods, on a rooted device the pr nightmare that would ensue would make the note 7 fiasco look like child's play.
"Samsung unsecured device compromises persons credit card information today, while Apple is still secure" I can see the headline.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7E

Using unlocked G935A on Tmo

Hello everyone,
I just bought an unlocked G935A (AT&T) s7e this morning, to use on Tmo. Not a fan of the bloatware, so I tried rooting it. Didn't work out, and I ended up flashing back to ATTs firmware circa September 2016 (goo.gl/ZwXTwX) (Baseband version: G935AUCS4API2, Build number: MMB29M.G935AUCS4API2)
My question is, where should I go from here? Is there a benefit to trying to flash to the unlocked or tmo variant? Is it worth it to update to Nougat, I've heard mixed reviews about the camera and battery life. Is there a way to get this horrible bloatware off, without ending up in a bootloop like I was stuck in before... I don't think I want to root the phone anymore, considering the solutions have a unstable disclaimer (https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-galaxy-s7/how-to/root-s7-att-g930a-g935a-t3410538). Overall phone stability, battery life, and camera consistency is super important to me, I'm going to be travelling all summer without access to a computer, and with limited electricity.
Also, I just gotta say I hate that Samsung doesn't host official firmware anywhere. I feel dirty having a random install on my phone now, and I didn't even get rid of the bloatware.
Anyway, thanks for the help!
Looks like you have an S7 edge, you might want to navigate over to the edge forum. This is the s7 regular forum.
dirtydodge said:
Looks like you have an S7 edge, you might want to navigate over to the edge forum. This is the s7 regular forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, thank you!

Is any customizability permanently lost in OTA nougat update/ security patches?

Hi brand new to S7 edge (SM-G935T). Love this phone so far but would like to update to nougat and security patches ASAP as i had my last phone hacked and want to minimize that chance.
I have rooted/s-off/etc and played with custom ROMs, boot screens and animations, etc for MyTouch 4G Slide years ago.
After that i had some limitations modding a Galaxy S4.
I know sometimes system updates would lock you out of some levels of customization of the system.
So i'm wondering: will any of the OTA updates will lose me something i can't get back?
Thanks in advance
Well i think i can answer this myself now for any of my fellow befuddled would-be buyers.
As Eggleston11 replies here,
Eggleston11 said:
I have the G935F. As far as I understand these kernels are for Exynos only. Good luck if you are searching for a good development scene with the snapdragon version. There are a few ROMs and Kernels i think. I have no idea about quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if you bought any of the US carrier models with the snapdragon chip you probably might as well take the OTAs to the last security update (Here is t-mobile's list of releases) for updates and security purposes, and then play with that release and decide if you would prefer to flash to the brandless ROM "G935u" instead of "G935t", which won't come with the carrier's cruft. To specifically answer my OP question, it's still possible to root the latest version of them, for what it's worth, although not GOOD methods.
Sad face. I was beguiled by the xda-developers Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge page into buying the S7 Edge without realizing a lot (all?) of the cool stuff was for the exynos variant.
With the way things are now in the mobile world one should not put his faith in any one website. Most snap dragon chips come locked tight this day in age. My self included should have done much more research in before buying.... I'm am at least thankful for root.

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