Remove the latest (broken) OTA package from the SM-G928V - Galaxy S6 Edge+ Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey all,
I'm trying to get my brother's Verizon S6 Edge+ out of a bootloop due to the lastest OTA gone bad.
My thinking is if I could find that OTA somewhere online, I could ODIN it in, and maybe clear it the problem. I don't know if that'll work, but I can't test my theory because I can't find the OTA for download anywhere.
Smart Switch doesn't work because even though I can get into Download Mode and run Smart Switch's Emergency Recovery all I want, I enter the model number SM-G928V and it asks for the S/N next. No matter what I try, nothing works. I've gone through the logs, pulled serial number from the build.prop. I've tried everything on the original packaging. I've tried the IMEI and all the barcodes right before entering Download Mode - just no S/N registers.
I can reflash the old firmware, PJ3, on there via ODIN, and each time I reflash it tries to install the OTA again. It runs through the update up to 32% and then I get a droid guy on his back with a yellow triangle - every. single. time.
I don't understand where the heck this OTA is stored and how the hell I can zero it out or remove it. I've tried popping in a new PIT, repartitioning, etc. Hell, I've tried a NAND RE-WRITE (against everyone's cries this is a terrible idea).
Does anyone have the very latest G928VVRS3BPL3 that was pushed Dec 29, 2016 to VZW S6 Edge+ devices? I'm even willing to PayPal for a good copy that will ODIN into the VZW S6 Edge+...
Alternatively, if you don't have a copy of PL3, do you know of anyway I could ADB my way into wiping the corrupt PL3 patch away? I can't seem to ADB right now, but maybe you know a trick I don't? I'm thinking I could perhaps zero out the instructions that initiate the patch at launch or something? If I can simply boot up - fantastic, but I'm in this infinite boot loop of installing PL3 to 24% and going belly-up.
I'm almost embarrassed to say I PAID for a copy of PJ3... but I can't find this latest Dec 1st security update patch anywhere on the web.
The phone is out of warranty. Contrary to Verizon store morons (sorry!), my brother didn't try to root the phone. He doesn't know how to do any of that stuff. The OTA is corrupt - plain and simple. Knox isn't even tripped. They accused him of trying to root the thing - heh.
Since the phone is out of warranty, no one will fix it for him. I'm his only hope, and I'm not much of a hope right now.
You're MY only hope.
This is a great phone, too. I feel bad for the guy. He woke up to his phone dead one morning. That's it.

Related

SM-G870A Failing to Update Past 4.4.2

Hey everyone!
I've got an interesting predicament here. A little back story: a while back I installed TowelRoot, and then Xposed Framework. Everything was kosher until I got an OTA update (I believe the NG3 update) and it killed the root. No problem, I'm fine without root. But now that Lollipop has come out, I want to update but can't. My buddy applied the same root, but did not do Xposed. The difference between our phones after that OTA update: mine says "Custom" with an unlocked padlock at the Samsung boot screen; his does not.
I read in another thread that someone took their phone to Best Buy and the guys at the Samsung booth were able to fix the problem because they can pull updates and apply them via USB. So we went there yesterday and they had no problem getting Lollipop on my buddy's S5 Active. Mine, however, would not take the update. The Samsung S.M.A.R.T. tool they use on the PC was saying that "my device is running an unauthorized operating system", even though I have never flashed a custom ROM.
When I go into download mode, the Knox flag does not appear to be tripped. I've also performed a clean factory reset with a data wipe and that still didn't allow me to update. Whenever I try to update, it downloads the entire 4.4.4 update (which needs to be done first, before the 5.0 update) and it starts to install, failing at 25%, without hesitation, every single time.
I've attached a couple of screenshots that I hope will help. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
MGArcher007 said:
Hey everyone!
I've got an interesting predicament here. A little back story: a while back I installed TowelRoot, and then Xposed Framework. Everything was kosher until I got an OTA update (I believe the NG3 update) and it killed the root. No problem, I'm fine without root. But now that Lollipop has come out, I want to update but can't. My buddy applied the same root, but did not do Xposed. The difference between our phones after that OTA update: mine says "Custom" with an unlocked padlock at the Samsung boot screen; his does not.
I read in another thread that someone took their phone to Best Buy and the guys at the Samsung booth were able to fix the problem because they can pull updates and apply them via USB. So we went there yesterday and they had no problem getting Lollipop on my buddy's S5 Active. Mine, however, would not take the update. The Samsung S.M.A.R.T. tool they use on the PC was saying that "my device is running an unauthorized operating system", even though I have never flashed a custom ROM.
When I go into download mode, the Knox flag does not appear to be tripped. I've also performed a clean factory reset with a data wipe and that still didn't allow me to update. Whenever I try to update, it downloads the entire 4.4.4 update (which needs to be done first, before the 5.0 update) and it starts to install, failing at 25%, without hesitation, every single time.
I've attached a couple of screenshots that I hope will help. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you resolved this issue, if so, would you mind sharing how you did it. I've been combing the net for a few days trying to discover what is going on and your issue appears to be exactly what I am experiencing. I've read about flashing back to my stock firmware using Odin but I cannot get into download mode, when I try and get there, the phone only says "recovery reboot" in blue small font on the top of the screen and reboots.
Thanks
Ladies and gents, I apologize for abandoning this thread. I forgot exactly how I got to get the phone to update, but if I recall correctly, it had to do with me putting the phone in download mode, downloading the original firmware and using ODIN to flash it. Afterward, the "unlocked" padlock symbol disappeared and the phone was able to get the OTA update from AT&T.
I have since moved from an LG G4 to a V20 and that is what I am currently playing with. I also have a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge (which T-Mobile replaced my G4 with when the touch screen stopped responding). I was quite stoked to find out that there is a way to root it and (seemingly) unlock the bootloader, so I'll be toying with that this weekend to see what I can do. I'd love nothing more than to just wipe that Samsung-ified Android and install a vanilla Android or CM.
Good luck to anyone who is still trying to fix this issue. Again, my apologies. I'll dig through my archives and see if I can piece together what I did to get it going again. I still have the S5 Active. Best phone by far. It's a great backup phone for when the new stuff goes kaput.

Samsung Galaxy Sky J3 SM-S320VL TracFone not flashing....

Here is the issue. A friend of mine had gone a bought a Galaxy Sky SM-S320VL from TracPhone. And had been using the phone without any problems until a couple of weeks ago. Then he decided to do a Factory Reset. Instead of doing the software reset, from with in Settings, he went and did a HARD Reset without unlocking the google account. And guess what, he can't remember the account information for that phone. And came to me to reset the phone. (As I had to deal with this problem in the past with other people and their phones.)
I have downloaded the only stock rom I can find for this phone and flashed it with Odin3. But for some reason the flashing of the rom is never done. By this I mean, the phone downloads the rom as Odin sends it. Odin reports a Success with the flashing. But, when the phone reboots. The system has not been reset and FRP is still active.
I have flashed only the AP, and the phone reboots directly into setup and shows a message about an unauthorized Factory Reset.
I have flash all 4 files in the ROM set (BL, AP, CP, and CSC). and Odin states the flash was a success. The phone reboots, goes to recovery and states Starting System Update. Goes so far into the update, then stops and shows Erasing. After a short time of showing Erasing it reboots to setup. Where again the phone shows the message about authorized Factory Reset.
I have used Odin3 v3.9.0, v3.11.1, v3.11.2, v3.12.5. And I have updated to the latest USB drivers from Samsung.
So my question is this. Has anyone had come across this behavior before? And how can I get past this?
The phones particulars:
Name: Samsung Galaxy Sky
Model #: SM-S320VL(GP)
OS v: 6.0.1
Firmware #: S320VLUDU2APJ3
Model #, as reported by Downloader: SM-S320VL
Note: As a strange side effect of when I flash all 4 rom files. For some reason once the phone has failed the system update, erased and has reboot. I have complete access to the phones User data area from within my computer. But, I am unable to access the phone with adb.
Hey folks,
I'm having the exact same issue as the OP. Odin does a successful install on the phone but I get the unauthorized reset message and then Wifi does not work when prompted on the next screen.
Is there a tracfone version of the rom or a fix that anyone here knows of? Thanks!
@drasnah
I have yet to get any kind of reply from anyone on this. Either now one knows, and is not stating so, or doesn't care.
I have seen the wi- fi fix in another thread.
Modify /system/build.prop:
ro.securestorage.support=true to false
Hope that helps!
20eyes said:
I have seen the wi- fi fix in another thread.
Modify /system/build.prop:
ro.securestorage.support=true to false
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First this is not a wi-fi problem it is a re-flashing of the rom problem.
Second, I do not have access, root or otherwise, to any of the system files on the phone.
Third, with the first two in mind this possible solution is of no help.
Fourth, Re-read my original post. I have given complete detailed information as to what I have access to and what I have done.
Can someone send me a download think for this phone i downloaded one but it won't flash it keeps failing
This device has been locked down by Tradphone and Samsung. It gives errors flashing even the correct stock firmware. It's a piece of garbage. NEVER buy anything from Tracphone. Garbage company. You'll never fix this issue. Only pushed updates will flash via software from sammy and tracphone that is built into the rom..
Curtis1973 said:
This device has been locked down by Tradphone and Samsung. It gives errors flashing even the correct stock firmware. It's a piece of garbage. NEVER buy anything from Tracphone. Garbage company. You'll never fix this issue. Only pushed updates will flash via software from sammy and tracphone that is built into the rom..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if that's correct? It depends on the firmware and odin version being used.
---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------
Nate1k904 said:
Can someone send me a download think for this phone i downloaded one but it won't flash it keeps failing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Post more details on the error, screenshots, firmware and odin version used.
Need to know if works. Or if needing to settle for a different route.
The_WABBIT said:
Here is the issue. A friend of mine had gone a bought a Galaxy Sky SM-S320VL from TracPhone. And had been using the phone without any problems until a couple of weeks ago. Then he decided to do a Factory Reset. Instead of doing the software reset, from with in Settings, he went and did a HARD Reset without unlocking the google account. And guess what, he can't remember the account information for that phone. And came to me to reset the phone. (As I had to deal with this problem in the past with other people and their phones.)
I have downloaded the only stock rom I can find for this phone and flashed it with Odin3. But for some reason the flashing of the rom is never done. By this I mean, the phone downloads the rom as Odin sends it. Odin reports a Success with the flashing. But, when the phone reboots. The system has not been reset and FRP is still active.
I have flashed only the AP, and the phone reboots directly into setup and shows a message about an unauthorized Factory Reset.
I have flash all 4 files in the ROM set (BL, AP, CP, and CSC). and Odin states the flash was a success. The phone reboots, goes to recovery and states Starting System Update. Goes so far into the update, then stops and shows Erasing. After a short time of showing Erasing it reboots to setup. Where again the phone shows the message about authorized Factory Reset.
I have used Odin3 v3.9.0, v3.11.1, v3.11.2, v3.12.5. And I have updated to the latest USB drivers from Samsung.
So my question is this. Has anyone had come across this behavior before? And how can I get past this?
The phones particulars:
Name: Samsung Galaxy Sky
Model #: SM-S320VL(GP)
OS v: 6.0.1
Firmware #: S320VLUDU2APJ3
Model #, as reported by Downloader: SM-S320VL
Note: As a strange side effect of when I flash all 4 rom files. For some reason once the phone has failed the system update, erased and has reboot. I have complete access to the phones User data area from within my computer. But, I am unable to access the phone with adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
J3 sm s320vl... tracfone root availability? Just bought phone hopefully got a good one to root? Or maybe someone knows who maybe be able to... please help
No updates? Interested, I have the same phone.
There is no solution for this phone. It will forever be a Trac-phone.
Yes, it nice to imagine what could had been. If there was a fix for the locked bootloader. Its encrypted, and is highly unlikely to be broken by anyone.
Do not flash the boot.image that some people have suggested
Although that method works on some devices such as the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5. In this case flashing the boot.image from an unlocked device does nothing but places the phone into an even more precarious situation, that makes it unusable even as a Trac phone.
While its true that this very low budget phone could had been decent with a custom Rom ,
You will not be able to get it working.
I have one that belonged to my daughter a couple of years ago and I managed to get it boot into the system again.
Its only function is as a calculator, or preschool game, the cellular reception and Wifi connections are highly unstable and will not stay connected.
Now it serves as my nieces play toy. I would donate to some poor person at the Salvation Army it if it was useable.
By the way, for anyone reading this.
If you have an old phone that is useable. You could dramatically help a Homeless people, by gifting them with a phone especially, if it has some minutes on it.
This gift will help them schedule job interviews, doctors appointments , etc and you will feel good knowing that you helped someone in need.
I have done this before, and will be dropping off a Blu phone, and Kindle Tablet this week.
tsongming said:
There is no solution for this phone. It will forever be a Trac-phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible to gain root on this device.
ashyx said:
It is possible to gain root on this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have permissible SE Status but can not achieve root on this device. Also, I have not found that anyone has had success rooting this exact model.
To be clear my device is the 2016 TracFone Samsung Galaxy J3 Sky model : SM-S320VL
Build S320VUDU1APG2
Hardware Version S320 VL04
I have found reports of people with S320VLUDU2API3 stating that the were able to achieve root and then assumed that it must also be possible with S320VUDU1APG2.
I am usually the guy that can figure these things out, very often before others. But I have had no success gaining root on this device using published methods. Also, I have not seen one example of someone with this identical device who gained root.
You are apparently the Wizard of these Samsung phones, so if you know of a definite way to root it, please point me towards the solution. I would really appreciate it.
I would love to root this phone, get it working again, and gift it to lady who was beaten by her husband and she is now living in a homeless shelter with her two children. She could use a phone to help with her job search. She would appreciate it.
At the moment this phone can will not keep a signal and I can't attempt the build prop solution without root.
Thank you.
tsongming said:
I have permissible SE Status but can not achieve root on this device. Also, I have not found that anyone has had success rooting this exact model.
To be clear my device is the 2016 TracFone Samsung Galaxy J3 Sky model : SM-S320VL
Build S320VUDU1APG2
Hardware Version S320 VL04
I have found reports of people with S320VLUDU2API3 stating that the were able to achieve root and then assumed that it must also be possible with S320VUDU1APG2.
I am usually the guy that can figure these things out, very often before others. But I have had no success gaining root on this device using published methods. Also, I have not seen one example of someone with this identical device who gained root.
You are apparently the Wizard of these Samsung phones, so if you know of a definite way to root it, please point me towards the solution. I would really appreciate it.
I would love to root this phone, get it working again, and gift it to lady who was beaten by her husband and she is now living in a homeless shelter with her two children. She could use a phone to help with her job search. She would appreciate it.
At the moment this phone can will not keep a signal and I can't attempt the build prop solution without root.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the thread below. Root was gained, albeit temporary. However I believe this is due to kernel panics which may be solved by a few build.prop edits. We had to do the same on the J327T1.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j3-2016/help/samsung-galaxy-j3-sm-s320vl-rooted-t3561762
Also if you firmware S320VUDU1APG2 then why not just update it to the firmware that has been reported to work?
I have found one these phones left on a table of a food truck area, screen was cracked - the device was only getting the android guy with triangle on it, I done some research and found the stock rom and flashed it with odin; as some have mentioned in comments above I also experienced wifi issue, so I thought I had installed incorrect rom - downloaded a different one this was a combination file that was the factory repair rom used for testing the device, but wifi worked - it wasn't a fully working telephone it didnt have the app store, well it really didnt have any apps, but I found I could copy over apk files from my PC to the device and then install them, so the phones not completely useless or junk --- it could be used for something. I myself am using that device as a security camera using IP CAM app works great. I was actually using this device for quiet some time as my roku tv remote, because my actual roku remote grown legs and walked off... i havent tried this, but I am sure you could install a launcher apk such as "apex launcher"
well i wasted enough of your time today...

Failed Root -- Bricked Bootloop SM-G930A

I'm completely at a loss at this point.
I attempted to root my Samsung S7 (AT&T) with Odin, and received an error. This is my first time ever rooting a phone, and I am generally oblivious to this kind of stuff. I disconnected the phone, and it began bootloop. I loaded it into download mode, and attempted to reset to stock. However, I have had endless issues trying to flash the stock firmware to my phone. At one point I unplugged the device once again, and I received the "use Emergency Restore" error screen. I tried to restore with Smart Switch, but I was not able to access my S/N (box is nowhere to be found, managed to find a S/N on Samsung's website since I registered it but Smart Switch wouldn't take it). So, I figured trying to restore with Odin was my last option. I have tried at least 3 different Odin versions, both modified and not, and not a single one of them has worked. I've received Complete(write) errors, Model Dispatch Fail errors, and Re-Partition errors. I've tried about 3 different firmware files as well, and while I think the one I have right now is most recent, none of them seem to be working. I thought maybe an issue I was encountering was that USB debugging or whatever it's called was disabled, but I have no way of telling because I cannot boot my phone.
I was fiddling around with all of this from 11pm to 6am last night, and picked it back up as soon as I woke up. I've been freaking out about this for hours.
I feel like I'm running in circles here. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I'm recovery bootlooped as well. The only thing I can boot is download mode.
I wasn't very cautious with this process, and I am completely unfamiliar with most lingo on these forums and the whole process in general. I really regret trying to do this. So -- is there anything else I can try to do to fix it? Or is my phone bricked for good??? I'm endlessly frustrated and have honestly felt like crying a few times over this. I shouldn't have messed with something I know nothing about. :crying:
I thank you for your patience in dealing with me as a beginner + appreciate any help you're able to give.
Cheers.
aerialslam said:
I'm completely at a loss at this point.
I attempted to root my Samsung S7 (AT&T) with Odin, and received an error. This is my first time ever rooting a phone, and I am generally oblivious to this kind of stuff. I disconnected the phone, and it began bootloop. I loaded it into download mode, and attempted to reset to stock. However, I have had endless issues trying to flash the stock firmware to my phone. At one point I unplugged the device once again, and I received the "use Emergency Restore" error screen. I tried to restore with Smart Switch, but I was not able to access my S/N (box is nowhere to be found, managed to find a S/N on Samsung's website since I registered it but Smart Switch wouldn't take it). So, I figured trying to restore with Odin was my last option. I have tried at least 3 different Odin versions, both modified and not, and not a single one of them has worked. I've received Complete(write) errors, Model Dispatch Fail errors, and Re-Partition errors. I've tried about 3 different firmware files as well, and while I think the one I have right now is most recent, none of them seem to be working. I thought maybe an issue I was encountering was that USB debugging or whatever it's called was disabled, but I have no way of telling because I cannot boot my phone.
I was fiddling around with all of this from 11pm to 6am last night, and picked it back up as soon as I woke up. I've been freaking out about this for hours.
I feel like I'm running in circles here. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I'm recovery bootlooped as well. The only thing I can boot is download mode.
I wasn't very cautious with this process, and I am completely unfamiliar with most lingo on these forums and the whole process in general. I really regret trying to do this. So -- is there anything else I can try to do to fix it? Or is my phone bricked for good??? I'm endlessly frustrated and have honestly felt like crying a few times over this. I shouldn't have messed with something I know nothing about. :crying:
I thank you for your patience in dealing with me as a beginner + appreciate any help you're able to give.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can at least get into download mode, then simply flash it with the latest STOCK firmware for your particular model.
That will bring it back to life, and you can attempt rooting it again, if you dare
aerialslam said:
I'm completely at a loss at this point.
I attempted to root my Samsung S7 (AT&T) with Odin, and received an error. This is my first time ever rooting a phone, and I am generally oblivious to this kind of stuff. I disconnected the phone, and it began bootloop. I loaded it into download mode, and attempted to reset to stock. However, I have had endless issues trying to flash the stock firmware to my phone. At one point I unplugged the device once again, and I received the "use Emergency Restore" error screen. I tried to restore with Smart Switch, but I was not able to access my S/N (box is nowhere to be found, managed to find a S/N on Samsung's website since I registered it but Smart Switch wouldn't take it). So, I figured trying to restore with Odin was my last option. I have tried at least 3 different Odin versions, both modified and not, and not a single one of them has worked. I've received Complete(write) errors, Model Dispatch Fail errors, and Re-Partition errors. I've tried about 3 different firmware files as well, and while I think the one I have right now is most recent, none of them seem to be working. I thought maybe an issue I was encountering was that USB debugging or whatever it's called was disabled, but I have no way of telling because I cannot boot my phone.
I was fiddling around with all of this from 11pm to 6am last night, and picked it back up as soon as I woke up. I've been freaking out about this for hours.
I feel like I'm running in circles here. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I'm recovery bootlooped as well. The only thing I can boot is download mode.
I wasn't very cautious with this process, and I am completely unfamiliar with most lingo on these forums and the whole process in general. I really regret trying to do this. So -- is there anything else I can try to do to fix it? Or is my phone bricked for good??? I'm endlessly frustrated and have honestly felt like crying a few times over this. I shouldn't have messed with something I know nothing about. :crying:
I thank you for your patience in dealing with me as a beginner + appreciate any help you're able to give.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you finally recover your phone? I'm in the same problem here since yesterday and feel your frustration right now. My phone is a Samsung S7 model SM-G930A from AT&T.
I found this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...-to-notes-root-install-xposed-unroot-t3411039 and I following the "Return to stock part", now downloading the firmware. Hope it helps.
I'm stucked in the blue screen "An error ocurred while updating the device software. Use the Emergency recovery function in the Smart Switch PC software". Of course I try the Smart Switch but says that my model is not supported!
How can you recovered the download mode? I press the on/off button for some seconds and the screen turn of, but it turn on again with the freaking blue screen "An error ocurred while updating the device software. ...". I tried all the possible button combinations.
Thanks and good luck.
Stock firmware
Make sure when you go into download mode and flash that plugging the phone in is the LAST thing you do. I.e. plug phone in only after it is in download mode and only after you open Odin. Secondly, make sure you flash the STOCK firmware, as in Android Marshmallow v6.0.1 . Additonally, make sure that the re-partition option is NOT ticked, and also you might want to try turning off auto-reboot, and just hold the power button after unplugging once the status bar is all the way full and Odin says complete. Also, you need to make absolutely sure that you're getting the firmware for your exact device. I.e. SM-G930A stock firmware is NOT compatible with SM-G930F models. You could also try reinstalling the Samsung drivers. I just flashed to stock firmware then updated back to Nougat yesterday, mostly without a hitch by following these guidelines. There is a download page on rootmygalaxy with all the stock firmwares, that's what I used (I'd link but I just registered here). There is a very helpful guide on droidviews about how to update to Nougat 7.0 once you have finished flashing the stock firmware.
If I were you, I would just avoid rooting altogether. Rooting for me caused very bad performance and battery life, and it wasn't really worth the trouble. Sure, getting in-app-purchases for free was nice but I never tried flashing a custom ROM or anything because most of the stories I read involved soft bricks, bootloops, etc.
Hopefully not having USB Debugging and OEM unlock ticked doesn't brick your phone, I'm doubtful that it will. For the poster above me, make sure your phone is all the way off, the download mode button combo is vol. down+power+home all at the same time, and hold them. A screen should pop up saying press vol. up to continue. If you're still having problems, I regret to say that I am also relatively new to this and I am not all that knowledgeable.
I just made a post about my unrooting process, hopefully it helps!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6ryOQepX2Q Video shows booting into Download Mode. Or take it to a Best Buy that has a Samsung Sales section.

(Soft?)-Bricked My S7 with a Flashfire Update, Need Help to Fix It?

So I've been rooting me phone for a while and have managed to never f*** up, till now, and I sincerely hope you guys can help me.
After rooting my S7 a while back, I just recently noticed SuperUser telling me that I didn't have root anymore, so I decided to follow these instructions to re-root my phone:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...-to-notes-root-install-xposed-unroot-t3411039
I successfully followed all the steps to get root, but when I opened Flashfire it told me I could install a new update while maintaining root, so since my android is at 6.0.1, I did that and it bricked my phone.
On boot it says "Startup Failed - Use the Verizon Software Repair Assistant . . . " and on top it also says "Custom binary blocked by SECURE BOOT." I have tried going into recovery mode and deleting the system cache, but that doesn't do it. So is there any way to get the phone to properly boot while not deleting my data? I was rooting my phone precisely so I could use Titanium Backup again, so I don't have any backups stored anywhere. I have heard that flashing a recovery image with Odin can work, but would that delete my files? Someone please lend me your expertise.
My phone is a Verizon S7.
Fixed
I am surprised that no one responded to me, but what's important is that, miraculously, I managed to un-brick the phone myself without losing any data! What I did was, as my last hope (since Odin wasn't able to flash the stock image, a la the traditional soft-brick fix), decide to follow the on-screen instructions my phone was giving me and to download and run something called the "Verizon Software Repair Assistant," which can be found in the top google results after searching for the quoted name (xda doesn't let me post the link).
After putting my phone into download mode, I plugged it in, ran the software and let it work overnight. Checking on it in the morning, I found my phone, not only completely functional and working, but updated to Android 7.0 (it was 6.0.1 previously before the failed Flashfire OTA update) and still holding all of my data intact.
So, the interesting thing that I learned is that flashing to stock via Odin to fix a soft-bricked phone should not be the default resolution for potentially most people, as the carrier's default (in my case, Verizon's) repair utility managed to completely fix my phone without any side effects or data loss.
Is there anyone who could chime in on why the Repair Utility did not wipe my phone's memory, even though it warned it would?
**Note**
Verizon links to the Windows version of the repair assistant on their site, but to get the Mac version (which I used), the only way you can get it is by changing the end of the url they mention within the thread from "Win" to "Mac."
Pleased you managed to fix it, and thanks for posting the method for others
As for replies, if you stick around XDA you'll see replies can take days sometimes, patience is the key here
*Detection* said:
Pleased you managed to fix it, and thanks for posting the method for others
As for replies, if you stick around XDA you'll see replies can take days sometimes, patience is the key here
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I guess I am not acquainted with this forum enough then, thanks!
Most likely the cause of the fault would be updating via FlashFire and keeping root. When the update was flashed, it most likely flashed the stock kernel and patched it for root, which is not a compatible root for our devices. Flashing the root kernel with Odin probably would have made the phone boot normally.

Help! I just pulled an all nighter

My wife's camera stopped working on her phone. I read flashing back to a previous firmware might fix the issue. I thought it was worth a try (and easier) before physically cracking the phone open and examining the hardware. But boy was I sure wrong about that!
I've read so much crap about this within the past few hours my head could explode. But I think the problem is trying to source the correct firmware.
This is a SM-G935V with a snapdragon processor in it according to spec websites.
The baseband version is: G935VVRSBCTC1
I haven't figured out how to find the current PDA version on the phone yet, but when I was trying to flash it with random firmware with Odin, the phone screen gave me error message: Fused 11 > Binary 4
From what I read, I understand that to mean I'm trying to flash binary 4 over 11 and that won't work. The flash only works if the number is greater....or I'm hoping maybe it will work if the number is the same. I would be happy just to flash Android 8.0 at this point in any form just to see if the camera starts working again. I've already tried a factory reset, clearing camera app data and cache, booting into safe mode, and resetting phone settings to fix the camera - nothing worked.
Could anybody please help me figure out my current PDA version on the phone? Or help me source the correct firmware? I'm starting to think it might be easier just to root the phone and install that ONE UI with android 9 or the Lineage OS with Android 10. But I've never rooted a phone before, this is my first attempt at any of this and to be honest this phone is not giving me the confidence I need to attempt the root and new OS. I can't even get the current firmware to reinstall.
Any help would be very appreciated. Like I said, I've stayed up all night and I'm so freaking tired at this point. But I feel like I'm soooooo close.
I have an SD card with Magisk, no-verity-opt-encrypt, and twrp ready to go. I have Odin ready and installed Samsung USB. Do you guys think I should just try another firmware and root the phone? Any links to firmware that don't take 12 hours to download would be appreciated.
UPDATE!
I found the PDA version with that handy "Phone Info *Samsung*" app in the play store.
The PDA version is G935VVRSBCTC1 5TH DIGIT FROM THE RIGHT GIVES US THE FUSED BINARY "B". I guess when they got past the number 9 the switched to Alpha characters. I found some "A" firmwares on Updato.com. But I didn't see any with a "B". So there's a good chance the one's I'm trying to download over 12 hours right now won't work.
I also scrolled over to the "Hardware" section in the phone and it asked for access to the Camera. I gave it access. But now the field is blank/empty. I didn't populate any info on the Camera. I don't know if that means anything just wanted to point that out. Could still be firmware or hardware as far as I know.
Thanks, Derek
MajinMight said:
My wife's camera stopped working on her phone. I read flashing back to a previous firmware might fix the issue. I thought it was worth a try (and easier) before physically cracking the phone open and examining the hardware. But boy was I sure wrong about that!
I've read so much crap about this within the past few hours my head could explode. But I think the problem is trying to source the correct firmware.
This is a SM-G935V with a snapdragon processor in it according to spec websites.
The baseband version is: G935VVRSBCTC1
I haven't figured out how to find the current PDA version on the phone yet, but when I was trying to flash it with random firmware with Odin, the phone screen gave me error message: Fused 11 > Binary 4
From what I read, I understand that to mean I'm trying to flash binary 4 over 11 and that won't work. The flash only works if the number is greater....or I'm hoping maybe it will work if the number is the same. I would be happy just to flash Android 8.0 at this point in any form just to see if the camera starts working again. I've already tried a factory reset, clearing camera app data and cache, booting into safe mode, and resetting phone settings to fix the camera - nothing worked.
Could anybody please help me figure out my current PDA version on the phone? Or help me source the correct firmware? I'm starting to think it might be easier just to root the phone and install that ONE UI with android 9 or the Lineage OS with Android 10. But I've never rooted a phone before, this is my first attempt at any of this and to be honest this phone is not giving me the confidence I need to attempt the root and new OS. I can't even get the current firmware to reinstall.
Any help would be very appreciated. Like I said, I've stayed up all night and I'm so freaking tired at this point. But I feel like I'm soooooo close.
I have an SD card with Magisk, no-verity-opt-encrypt, and twrp ready to go. I have Odin ready and installed Samsung USB. Do you guys think I should just try another firmware and root the phone? Any links to firmware that don't take 12 hours to download would be appreciated.
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UPDATE #2
As you can tell I haven't given up yet. I found my current firmware version for download on a different website:
https://samfrew.com/download/Galaxy__S7__edge__/b3kj/VZW/G935VVRSBCTC1/G935VVZWBCTC1/"]https://samfrew.com/download/Galaxy__S7__edge__/b3kj/VZW/G935VVRSBCTC1/G935VVZWBCTC1/
It's another slow download option which really sucks. But I'll be able to test If I can flash the same firmware to the phone (not technically a downgrade and carries the same fused binary). So we shall see. If this doesn't work I'll be looking into the other android 9 or 10 roms and rooting the phone.
Thanks, Derek
MajinMight said:
I found the PDA version with that handy "Phone Info *Samsung*" app in the play store.
The PDA version is G935VVRSBCTC1 5TH DIGIT FROM THE RIGHT GIVES US THE FUSED BINARY "B". I guess when they got past the number 9 the switched to Alpha characters. I found some "A" firmwares on Updato.com. But I didn't see any with a "B". So there's a good chance the one's I'm trying to download over 12 hours right now won't work.
I also scrolled over to the "Hardware" section in the phone and it asked for access to the Camera. I gave it access. But now the field is blank/empty. I didn't populate any info on the Camera. I don't know if that means anything just wanted to point that out. Could still be firmware or hardware as far as I know.
Thanks, Derek
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Click to collapse
TL/DR your full posts but I will cut to the chase on some points. If your phone is SM-G935V (US-Verizon) then you:
1) can NOT root binary B firmware. Binary A (10) yes, B (11) no, at least not until the ENG file becomes available- IF it ever comes. Official S7 support is next to dead.
2) even if you were lucky flashing binary A firmware and successfully rooted, you still would NOT be able to flash ANY custom ROM's such as Lineage. Also, Magisk is useless and will not work on our phones either.
US-spec Snapdragon phones are bootloader locked. There is no workaround. Locked bootloaders prevent flashing custom ROM's, kernels, etc. We are lucky we have root access and it took years just to get that. Bootloader unlocking will never happen for US-spec S7. Much as I love my S7e, if I ever have to replace it I will never get another US "Crapdragon" that you can't do anything with.
I do not know what the issue is with your camera. Maybe other forum members will have ideas. I do wish you luck getting everything back to normal.
Dang! Well thanks for the info! I guess all the videos I've seen with S7's and custom roms have not been done on the US-Verizon phone. What a bummer. Well this was a major learning experience at least.
My only idea now is to crack her open and make sure the camera didn't come unplugged from a drop. I also seen camera replacements were really cheap online. I don't know if it's worth my time....we are due for a phone upgrade anyway.
SkylineDriver said:
TL/DR your full posts but I will cut to the chase on some points. If your phone is SM-G935V (US-Verizon) then you:
1) can NOT root binary B firmware. Binary A (10) yes, B (11) no, at least not until the ENG file becomes available- IF it ever comes. Official S7 support is next to dead.
2) even if you were lucky flashing binary A firmware and successfully rooted, you still would NOT be able to flash ANY custom ROM's such as Lineage. Also, Magisk is useless and will not work on our phones either.
US-spec Snapdragon phones are bootloader locked. There is no workaround. Locked bootloaders prevent flashing custom ROM's, kernels, etc. We are lucky we have root access and it took years just to get that. Bootloader unlocking will never happen for US-spec S7. Much as I love my S7e, if I ever have to replace it I will never get another US "Crapdragon" that you can't do anything with.
I do not know what the issue is with your camera. Maybe other forum members will have ideas. I do wish you luck getting everything back to normal.
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