Database Users

[Q] Which Galaxy S 4 should I get?

I'm unfamiliar with Samsung phones (never had one), and I'm looking at getting a used/mint Galaxy S 4 for my wife. Here are the requirements:
1. SIM unlocked. I need to be able to use it on AT&T and T-Mobile networks in the US, and also other international carriers as need be when traveling, without a problem.
2. I need to have root access. Some apps that need to be installed on this phone requires root. It's not necessary to have the capability to flash custom ROM, etc. so stock ROM (or any ROM, for that matter, as long as it's stable) is fine. I just need root.
3. It has to have at least 4.3, or if possible 4.4.2. OTA capability for further update (if there will be any) is a good bonus but not required.
I likely won't be modifying this phone (flashing ROM/mods/etc.) after I set it up the first time. I'll set it up, give it to her, and forget about it.
So, which version of GS4 should I look for in ebay/swappa (and if there are any firmware requirements for easy rooting)? I'm going to be using it almost solely on a GSM-based network (currently a T-Mobile MVNO, but may switch to an AT&T MVNO soon) so AT&T version seems like an obvious choice, but I've heard that this model is a pain to SIM unlock (is it true?), while Verizon version is factory unlocked completely out of the box, and will work without a problem on AT&T or T-Mobile (and obviously overseas as well).
Can anyone give me any suggestion?

Newcron said:
I'm unfamiliar with Samsung phones (never had one), and I'm looking at getting a used/mint Galaxy S 4 for my wife. Here are the requirements:
1. SIM unlocked. I need to be able to use it on AT&T and T-Mobile networks in the US, and also other international carriers as need be when traveling, without a problem.
2. I need to have root access. Some apps that need to be installed on this phone requires root. It's not necessary to have the capability to flash custom ROM, etc. so stock ROM (or any ROM, for that matter, as long as it's stable) is fine. I just need root.
3. It has to have at least 4.3, or if possible 4.4.2. OTA capability for further update (if there will be any) is a good bonus but not required.
I likely won't be modifying this phone (flashing ROM/mods/etc.) after I set it up the first time. I'll set it up, give it to her, and forget about it.
So, which version of GS4 should I look for in ebay/swappa (and if there are any firmware requirements for easy rooting)? I'm going to be using it almost solely on a GSM-based network (currently a T-Mobile MVNO, but may switch to an AT&T MVNO soon) so AT&T version seems like an obvious choice, but I've heard that this model is a pain to SIM unlock (is it true?), while Verizon version is factory unlocked completely out of the box, and will work without a problem on AT&T or T-Mobile (and obviously overseas as well).
Can anyone give me any suggestion?
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Check About Phone

Androiders96 said:
Check About Phone
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This is basically the point of this thread. I need suggestions on what to check for

Newcron said:
This is basically the point of this thread. I need suggestions on what to check for
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I9505

Androiders96 said:
I9505
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:laugh:
Yeah I deserve that. I basically set myself up to get this answer. This is what I get for not being clear enough from the get go. Doh.
Obviously the international unlocked version is the most ideal, because there's no potential for headaches as I explained above. I of course knew this.
And yes, there are several of them available at Swappa, but they are all (understandably) much more expensive (some more than 150%) compared to the local version.
So, I guess my real question is whether I should get AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon version for my purposes above.
I also just examined the title of this subforum and realized that I may not be asking this on the right place. So, sorry about that. I'll switch over to the correct forum and ask this again. Thanks for answering!

Noob needs help Rooting his phone

Hello,
I my first smart phone was the galaxy s4. I rooted that one with no problem after only researching for a couple hours and following simple YouTube tutorials, but that phone has lived too long.
I have recently gotten a Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note 5 model number SM-N920P. It is running stock Android 6.01. I would like to root my phone to have the full access i once had to full back ups, easy controller support etc. I have looked around for a few days now and can not find a tutorial to root with the sprint variant on the newest OS. Most are on Lollipop and I read a lot of people bricking their phones. Any help would be appreciated.

Does the phone have a locked bootloader? If yes, this may be why there is no root method yet for MM.

audit13 said:
Does the phone have a locked bootloader? If yes, this may be why there is no root method yet for MM.
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Yes the bootloader is locked. It is a new phone. Have only had it for a couple of weeks. So Im out of luck? I cannt root my device.

Doesn't look like an exploit is available at the moment.

I have yet to find a simple guide on "How to load a custom ROM on your AT&T S7 Edge"

I have yet to find a simple guide on "How to load a custom ROM on your AT&T S7 Edge"
I've traveled all over the interwebs, including this website and many others but have not found a simple guide for noobs. I read about CWM, TWRP, Odin, rooting, zip files, tar files, nandroid, backup ROM, root with app, root via computer, blah, blah, blah, blah....
All I know is that before I do anything I want to backup the stock ROM but before that I'm thrown all kinds of different tools and processes that one could use. For the noob it should be as simple as:
Step 1: backup your stock ROM and to do this download/install this tool then follow these instructions.
Step 2: root your S7 Edge and to do this download/install this tool then follow these instructions.
Step 3: find a custom ROM you want to install and to do this go here, here or here for you model and download it to your PC.
Step 4: flash your custom ROM and to do this down/install this tool and follow these instructions.
Maybe I haven't done a good job of searching so shame on me but I don't feel like given the effort I've expended thus far has yielded a straight and easy answer when it probably should be. I seem to run across a lot of promising reads/threads about this only to find that there seems to be so much more knowledge and experience with the SM-935F and not so much with the SM-935A variant. On top of it, it would seem that I'm told that rooting will or will not break Samsung Pay and other apps/features or that the flag will or will not permanently trip that shows the device has been modified. Very confusing.
When I'm presented with a tar/zip download I'm not sure to where I'm supposed to be downloading. To my PC then used Odin s/w on the PC to install via USB cable to the handset?
Can someone please point me to the simple guide to get this going...or am I gonna have to write it myself? TIA.

BTW, I should note that I'm coming from a S3 on Virgin Mobile to a S7 Edge SM-G935A to be used on Cricket Wireless (AT&T). Since I'll be on Cricket and not directly a AT&T customer per se I'd like to get rid of all the bloatware that AT&T was so kind to load up on the handset. Right now it has Nougat 7.0 installed: samsung/hero2qlteuc/hero2qlteatt:7.0/NRD90M/G935AUCU4BQA6

I am not sure if you have a US version the S7 (Qualcomm G935A) or the S7 non US version. But if you have the US version, we are out of luck. Our bootloader is completely locked and all those steps you pointed out are not available.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

freeop said:
I am not sure if you have a US version the S7 (Qualcomm G935A) or the S7 non US version. But if you have the US version, we are out of luck. Our bootloader is completely locked and all those steps you pointed out are not available.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
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So it seems that with all USA Qualcomm versions regardless of GSM carrier you have confirmed we pretty much cannot do much other than load some other versions of firmware such the U version ROM? From what I read HERE this is the Marshmallow 6.0 o/s. I currently have the stock Nougat 7.0 firmware from AT&T on my S7 Edge. Is there a debloated 7.0 version of the U ROM available?
UPDATE: Never mind...I came across THIS THREAD regarding an unbloated 7.0 U-version. I see you were active in that thread so now I need to read the entire thing before I have more questions and if so I'll ask them there. Thanks!

SyberTiger said:
So it seems that with all USA Qualcomm versions regardless of GSM carrier you have confirmed we pretty much cannot do much other than load some other versions of firmware such the U version ROM? From what I read HERE this is the Marshmallow 6.0 o/s. I currently have the stock Nougat 7.0 firmware from AT&T on my S7 Edge. Is there a debloated 7.0 version of the U ROM available?
UPDATE: Never mind...I came across THIS THREAD regarding an unbloated 7.0 U-version. I see you were active in that thread so now I need to read the entire thing before I have more questions and if so I'll ask them there. Thanks!
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If you still want to root your phone, you can follow this link and will let you get rid of all the bloat and root your phone, install xposed and all the mods for xposed. I have used the ENG.IMG version of root for the G935A over 6 months ago and it works great, given the choices we have.
Here's the link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
I know the thread is in the T-Mobile section but if you read the first line, it says it works for T-Mobile, ATT, Sprint, Verizon, etc. It is a very long thread but if you read mostly the later posts from @Craz Basics and you will be able to see that it works really nice.
Good luck

freeop said:
If you still want to root your phone, you can follow this link and will let you get rid of all the bloat and root your phone, install xposed and all the mods for xposed. I have used the ENG.IMG version of root for the G935A over 6 months ago and it works great, given the choices we have.
Here's the link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
I know the thread is in the T-Mobile section but if you read the first line, it says it works for T-Mobile, ATT, Sprint, Verizon, etc. It is a very long thread but if you read mostly the later posts from @Craz Basics and you will be able to see that it works really nice.
Good luck
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Hey thanks....but I have another question now that I'm given choices.
Which ROM is better, the U 7.0 ROM or the T-Mobile ROM you just linked? And, why is it better than the other?

SyberTiger said:
Hey thanks....but I have another question now that I'm given choices.
Which ROM is better, the U 7.0 ROM or the T-Mobile ROM you just linked? And, why is it better than the other?
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Ok the U 7.0 ROM is still un-rooted and bootloader locked. If you go that way, you get the U ROM with-out all the Bloat. But nothing more.
And the link is not really for the T-Mobile phone only. The ENG.IMG is for all makes of the Qualcomm chip. You install that and you are still with ATT. Still have all the things ATT provides like WiFi-Calling and other ATT things. And you can get rid of the Bloatware from the ATT ROM using different apps, like Titanium Backup. With the ENG.IMG you can root your phone and use all the apps that are available for Rooted Phones. One of the best is Titanium Backup. You can only use that one Rooted phones. If you have the U 7.0 ROM, you will have to use the same ENG.IMG to Root the U 7.0 ROM to get that OS rooted. And as I mentioned before you can use Xposed with the rooted phone.
If you are just looking to get rid of Bloatware on the ATT, there is an app for that also. Check out BK Disabler in the playstore. You can get rid of all the bloatware without rooting your phone.
Anyway, hope this make some kind of sense...

freeop said:
Ok the U 7.0 ROM is still un-rooted and bootloader locked. If you go that way, you get the U ROM with-out all the Bloat. But nothing more.
And the link is not really for the T-Mobile phone only. The ENG.IMG is for all makes of the Qualcomm chip. You install that and you are still with ATT. Still have all the things ATT provides like WiFi-Calling and other ATT things. And you can get rid of the Bloatware from the ATT ROM using different apps, like Titanium Backup. With the ENG.IMG you can root your phone and use all the apps that are available for Rooted Phones. One of the best is Titanium Backup. You can only use that one Rooted phones. If you have the U 7.0 ROM, you will have to use the same ENG.IMG to Root the U 7.0 ROM to get that OS rooted. And as I mentioned before you can use Xposed with the rooted phone.
If you are just looking to get rid of Bloatware on the ATT, there is an app for that also. Check out BK Disabler in the playstore. You can get rid of all the bloatware without rooting your phone.
Anyway, hope this make some kind of sense...
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Thanks, appreciate it.
I'm really not planning on spending a lot of time making changes or tweaking the handset. I'm on Cricket Wireless therefore I don't see any value in the AT&T bloatware which is why I wanted it removed. My interest is primarily having the latest/greatest android version I can have without all the stuff junking it up. I'd like it to be as fast as is reasonably possibly but at the same time have reasonably good battery life. I'm coming from a Galaxy S3 on Virgin Mobile so the change to the S7E is a huge upgrade. I haven't figured out yet if there are any apps (that require rooting) that are so slick I can't live without them.
I installed the U 7.0 and as I recall I got about 5 or 6 OTA updates which in encouraging. I think the AT&T ROM never received any of the 3 or 4 most current security updates. Anyhow, U 7.0 is up and running with no AT&T bloatware.

SyberTiger said:
Thanks, appreciate it.
I'm really not planning on spending a lot of time making changes or tweaking the handset. I'm on Cricket Wireless therefore I don't see any value in the AT&T bloatware which is why I wanted it removed. My interest is primarily having the latest/greatest android version I can have without all the stuff junking it up. I'd like it to be as fast as is reasonably possibly but at the same time have reasonably good battery life. I'm coming from a Galaxy S3 on Virgin Mobile so the change to the S7E is a huge upgrade. I haven't figured out yet if there are any apps (that require rooting) that are so slick I can't live without them.
I installed the U 7.0 and as I recall I got about 5 or 6 OTA updates which in encouraging. I think the AT&T ROM never received any of the 3 or 4 most current security updates. Anyhow, U 7.0 is up and running with no AT&T bloatware.
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AT&T's software updater only works if you have an AT&T SIM card. This is why the first thing you should do if you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) device that you don't plan to use on that network is to convert it to the unlocked version. That, and AT&T (in particular) loads the crap out of their devices with bloatware to the point that switching to U feels like an early upgrade to the next generation device.

jshamlet said:
AT&T's software updater only works if you have an AT&T SIM card. This is why the first thing you should do if you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) device that you don't plan to use on that network is to convert it to the unlocked version. That, and AT&T (in particular) loads the crap out of their devices with bloatware to the point that switching to U feels like an early upgrade to the next generation device.
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Yeah, I have a Cricket SIM which explains why this unlocked handset is stuck on 7.0 G935AUCU4BQA6 which is the February 1, 2017 update. Interestingly enough, the Network Signal Info app shows the SIM Operator as AT&T and Network Operator as Cricket/AT&T.
Going to the U got rid of all the bloatware and the handset immediately started receiving 5 or 6 OTA updates. I'll probably stick with the U version unless it becomes apparent there's a significantly better ROM available that increases performance, battery life or really adds some whizbangs that make the S7E experience a lot better.

forgive me for butting in -- I have a SM-G935A (stock) on Cricket as well.
Updates to the ROM and while keeping Samsung Pay are important to me.
In the past, I have d/led ATT updates and installed them using Odin, but that wipes my phone's apps/settings each time. Recently, I purchased an ATT sim & put the minimum $$$ on it with the intention of popping it in for OTA's. I've received BQK2, Nov 1 2017. It's a crappy work around, but the easiest I know of without having to rebuild my phone each Odin'ed update.
Would installing U or TMO firmware on the 935A remove the ability to use Samsung Pay? Would either of them be updated for frequently/easier than the 935A?

The U firmware supports Samsung pay and gets updates directly. The only downsides are no carrier features like wifi calling, etc., and if gets updates later than the carrier versions. I have run it on AT&T since I got the phone and it has worked fine.

jshamlet said:
The U firmware supports Samsung pay and gets updates directly. The only downsides are no carrier features like wifi calling, etc., and if gets updates later than the carrier versions. I have run it on AT&T since I got the phone and it has worked fine.
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Thanks, jshamlet.
This is my first phone I haven't rooted & I feel a bit powerless without Xposed and Titanium Backup. I find myself using Samsung Pay so often, that I don't want to lose it & was concerned that installing the U (or TMO) firmware on the ATT version would trip Knox, too.

William Thornton said:
forgive me for butting in -- I have a SM-G935A (stock) on Cricket as well.
Updates to the ROM and while keeping Samsung Pay are important to me.
In the past, I have d/led ATT updates and installed them using Odin, but that wipes my phone's apps/settings each time. Recently, I purchased an ATT sim & put the minimum $$$ on it with the intention of popping it in for OTA's. I've received BQK2, Nov 1 2017. It's a crappy work around, but the easiest I know of without having to rebuild my phone each Odin'ed update.
Would installing U or TMO firmware on the 935A remove the ability to use Samsung Pay? Would either of them be updated for frequently/easier than the 935A?
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Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?

SyberTiger said:
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
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I've never gotten it working 100%.

William Thornton said:
I've never gotten it working 100%.
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I'd be talking about the PC version not the phone-to-phone setup. Back up to PC then from PC to your phone. Worked great for me.

SyberTiger said:
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
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Click to collapse
Um, no. No it doesn't. Helium (or if you are feeling oldster, ADB) does a vastly better job of backing up apps than Smart Switch. Smart Switch does a reasonably good job of putting your phone's settings back, but it doesn't appear to back up most app data.
I learned this the hard way.
---------- Post added at 01:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 AM ----------
William Thornton said:
Thanks, jshamlet.
This is my first phone I haven't rooted & I feel a bit powerless without Xposed and Titanium Backup. I find myself using Samsung Pay so often, that I don't want to lose it & was concerned that installing the U (or TMO) firmware on the ATT version would trip Knox, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Pay, with the MST technology, is one of those weirdly underrated features that continually amaze people. It works nearly anywhere you can physically see the mag stripe reader, which instantly makes it vastly more useful than either Apple Pay or Android Pay. I have had more than a few people say "We don't take Apple Pay", and then drop their jaw when the transaction goes through.
The fact that Samsung doesn't make a bigger deal about it is strange, because it really is one of those technologies that sets them apart from the other two.

Stable Root for SM-G935P?

HI. I have a question regarding my s7 edge on sprint (SM-G935P) and to whether or not anyone has found a stable rooting method for it. Im somewhat experienced in this kind of topic as i have rooted my phone multiple times and have found success but all methods resulted in a very laggy phone. So im not new to this but could use a little more knowledge. From what i know, the root methods used to root the snapdragon models of the s7 and s7 edge are using ENG Boot and in result, that's why devices are not as stable as they are on stock firmware. Because of locked bootloaders and from my understanding, there is no way to root without a laggy phone. Unless you were to unlock your phone, there's no way of rooting without lag? Also, from what i gathered up is that you can convert a SM-G935P model phone to a SM-G935U. G935U is the unlocked firmware? If so, if i try to root will i keep the sprint service? I may sound silly right now but im posting this to better understand if any one of you have found a rooting method which eliminates all lag or as much lag as possible. If there's is nothing i will probably be better off sticking to my stock s7 edge like i have been for awhile now. I have found this though and im curious to know if this has anything to do with my post?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/how-to/successful-root-g935u-g935uueu4bqd2-t3598647

izzy6 said:
HI. I have a question regarding my s7 edge on sprint (SM-G935P) and to whether or not anyone has found a stable rooting method for it. Im somewhat experienced in this kind of topic as i have rooted my phone multiple times and have found success but all methods resulted in a very laggy phone. So im not new to this but could use a little more knowledge. From what i know, the root methods used to root the snapdragon models of the s7 and s7 edge are using ENG Boot and in result, that's why devices are not as stable as they are on stock firmware. Because of locked bootloaders and from my understanding, there is no way to root without a laggy phone. Unless you were to unlock your phone, there's no way of rooting without lag? Also, from what i gathered up is that you can convert a SM-G935P model phone to a SM-G935U. G935U is the unlocked firmware? If so, if i try to root will i keep the sprint service? I may sound silly right now but im posting this to better understand if any one of you have found a rooting method which eliminates all lag or as much lag as possible. If there's is nothing i will probably be better off sticking to my stock s7 edge like i have been for awhile now. I have found this though and im curious to know if this has anything to do with my post?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/how-to/successful-root-g935u-g935uueu4bqd2-t3598647
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Click to collapse
It depends on what version you are using at this time. That U root only works if your sprint phone has a binary version of 4, sprint updated the binary in December. That makes all sprint S7E phones that received that December update unable to root as they were updated to binary 5. To find out what what binary version you have, go to setting and about phone. Look for the updated version (it should start with G935P), The 5th to the last number will have either a 4 or 5 on it. If it has a 4, you can root it, if it has a 5, you cannot root it. The U root will work on all American phones as it is programed for GSM and CDMA phones. You may lose all those "awesome" sprint apps when you use the U root flash.

I am very curious on this issue also. I just moved from Colorado to Wyoming and Sprint does not offer unlimited data roaming, so I want to unlock and maybe transfer services to another company, AT&T and Verizon are the two that seem to provide direct service here. But the rooting issue would be a possible huge advantage, maybe....

Sm-g35p, smg935pvpu6RB2
Hi there any to root this phone with magisk?

mikeb143777 said:
Ok, ive scoured the internet and got conflicting results. However, Im not a pro, and it appears you have the low down on the current root status. So here is my question for anybody that can help. I have the Sprint S7 edge (SM-G935P), and Im pretty sure Im on the number 5 bianary, so it appears that Im stuck. But please clarify, does this mean that there is no way to root my phone period? What if I dont go to the "U" firmware? Or better yet, isnt it possible to rollback to a different firmware, to marshmallow or something, and then go from there? I heard you can roll back if you have a "pit" file or something? Can anybody offer me any way to get rooted? Im sure I can follow the instructions if I can find any, Ive rooted plenty, but so far I havent found any options. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I didn't get back sooner, I don't go to the sprint part of the forums as much anymore.
At the time, the U Firmware was the only way you could get root. The root method has changed but it still requires the same or lower binary version than the rooted rom. If you are binary 5 and the other ones are 4 you will not be able to root. From what I've seen so far, verizon and the U firmware is still binary 4. What makes this worse, is once you are on a higher binary version, you can no longer downgrade (I've tried during bricking). I have tried a pit file with a non sprint phone and could not get the phone to downgrade either.
Right now you can either wait and see if they upgrade to binary 5 and root then, or you can get an unlocked verizon s7 edge and get root. Both are not the greatest of options
It gets worse... Getting root on a newer phone is not like the older days. I am rooted and all I can use is an altered stock rom. Because the bootloader is locked you cannot use custom recovery and roms like lineage and crDroid. So even if you get root, depending on what you want to do, you will still be limited.

5th number from the right on mine is a 6.

Pyr0TeK said:
5th number from the right on mine is a 6.
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Click to collapse
Me too. I'm fed up with not having root. I not having a easy tether for wireless (BT is too limited) I has cost me on several occasions. I am actively looking for a new phone.
This entire phone is a step backward coming from the Note 4. I lost battery changing on the fly, reliable root / roms, and hotspot, and etc.

Sprint logo change
Hi
I have sm-g935p , s7 edge sprint
I want to remove sprint logo
How to do it

Mine shows up in stock recovery as g935PVPS5BQK1 . anyone know exactly which custom recovery and root method for this is? If I'm in right area then that's fine for me I'll continue as is but just wanted to make absolutely sure before I carry on.

Sprint
I removed the logo but I had to unlock the cell phone

Is there no way i could root my Galaxy note edge At&t model????

I've been waiting for a long time for someone to make it possible to root Note edge at&t model i can't find any way to root or unlock bootloader there's no custom rom for it i'd really appreciate if someone comes out with a way

if you find a way, let us know
KingoRoot can root a SM-N915A running Kitkat but nothing higher than that (and may add ads and spyware to your phone -- there is another app called KingRoot which seems nefarious, KingoRoot does not generate as much negative posts). The newest stock ROM available is 6.0.1 (have never found a compatible custom ROM).
You would think that AT&T would allow us to unlock the bootloader since they are no longer supporting the phone but apparently they just don't care, especially for those of us who have them unlocked from the network and running on other networks (mine is T-mobile).
If you find a solution, let the rest of us know. I am seriously considering swapping out the motherboard from my old cracked screen SM-N915O that is rooted with the motherboard of my SM-N915A but I am not sure if they are completely compatible and I am not sure where the lock for the bootloader resides, so not sure if that would actually help. Still, it is clear Marshmallow does not work with some updated apps so I may need to try something soon.
jah732