Good evening. I'm in the process of looking to trade in my Samsung Galaxy S6 - SM-G920V for something that I can put Lineage OS on, but I seem to be striking out. For months I've tried to install it on my S6 but I can never 'root' the phone to start the process. So before spending $$ on a phone I can't put a CFW on, I thought I'd ask the experts here. Any suggestions would be great or success posts on Verizon phones. Also if anyone knows a way to install it on my S6 I will not only give them 1 cookie but 2 !!!! what a deal!!!! .. thanks in advance...
iced00d said:
Good evening. I'm in the process of looking to trade in my Samsung Galaxy S6 - SM-G920V for something that I can put Lineage OS on, but I seem to be striking out. For months I've tried to install it on my S6 but I can never 'root' the phone to start the process. So before spending $$ on a phone I can't put a CFW on, I thought I'd ask the experts here. Any suggestions would be great or success posts on Verizon phones. Also if anyone knows a way to install it on my S6 I will not only give them 1 cookie but 2 !!!! what a deal!!!! .. thanks in advance...
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I don't have this device but, your best bet is to post this question within the following thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3110220
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.
PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
I have the same issue and have posted about it before here.
It's very hard to find modern rom'able/root'able Verizon-compatible devices that will run LineageOS. But the way XDA is organized it's nearly impossible to post carrier-specific questions like this because everything is device-based.
I thought I had found a good option in the supported LG V20 (US995 variant), but in doing a bit more reading before buying one I found that the popular "dirty santa" root exploit no longer works on recent OS builds and once those builds are on a device they can't be rolled back.
So I started looking at the HTC 10, but there are apparently challenges with that device on Verizon too, and may not be able to get LOS to work on it either.
I don't look forward to spending several hundred $USD on a device only to find I can't put the ROM I want on it....
Tyvm everyone for the replies. Like most ppl I don't have hundreds of dollars for an unlocked phone so ill probably end up in another contract. Again tks again.
Verizon loves locking every phone bootloader without possibility of unlocking it, get an unlocked device (used or new) and if possible switch from Verizon to another carrier.
AT&T blocks the possibility of unlocking bootloader on their phones, but are GSM and almost every international phone work.
T-Mobile not blocks the possibility on their phones, but some manufacturers like Samsung and LG blocks the possibility of unlocking bootloader on carrier phones, but are GSM and almost every international phone work.
Verizon blocks the possibility of unlocking bootloader on their phones, but are CDMA and only some unlocked phones work on Verizon with unlockable bootloader (little more phones than Sprint but much less phones than AT&T and T-Mobile).
Sprint not blocks the possibility on their phones, but some manufacturers like Samsung and LG blocks the possibility of unlocking bootloader on carrier phones, but are CDMA and only some unlocked phones work on Sprint with unlockable bootloader (little less phones than Verizon and much less phones than AT&T and T-Mobile).
Samsung Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
These are older, but still very relevant phones that can be unlocked if you get the right version. The eMMC CID has to begin with 15 to be able to completely unlock the phone. With the S5 I've polling the forum, but it looks like there's a date or revision code on the IMEI sticker under the battery. Code 14.08 and lower are CID 15. Anything higher is CID 11. Can't definitively prove it yet, but so far the results coincide.
Related
Hello, I currently have an S3 and my upgrade is due in October. I intended to get the S5, but because the bootloader is locked, I'm just not sure. You can't flash AOSP with safestrap (From what I hear) and you can't flash custom kernels. Will there ever be a way around this, or should I wait for other phones? If so, what ones should I look at? Thanks for all replies!
LegoFarmer said:
Hello, I currently have an S3 and my upgrade is due in October. I intended to get the S5, but because the bootloader is locked, I'm just not sure. You can't flash AOSP with safestrap (From what I hear) and you can't flash custom kernels. Will there ever be a way around this, or should I wait for other phones? If so, what ones should I look at? Thanks for all replies!
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Well, unfortunately the S5 will most likely have a locked bootloader forever, unless someone finds a way around it, and that is highly unlikely. It's not just Samsung or the S5, it is getting harder and harder to find exploits for root much less getting around a lock bootloader. If you like the S5 maybe you should consider the Developer Edition of the S5 which has a factory unlocked bootloader, but they are also around $650.00 from Samsung. The only current phone that is "wide open" that I know of is the HTC M8. The big 4 manufactures (Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG) are all making it harder and harder to even root the phone much less getting around the locked bootloader (HTC as mention is the current exception).
jpcalhoun said:
Well, unfortunately the S5 will most likely have a locked bootloader forever, unless someone finds a way around it, and that is highly unlikely. It's not just Samsung or the S5, it is getting harder and harder to find exploits for root much less getting around a lock bootloader. If you like the S5 maybe you should consider the Developer Edition of the S5 which has a factory unlocked bootloader, but they are also around $650.00 from Samsung. The only current phone that is "wide open" that I know of is the HTC M8. The big 4 manufactures (Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG) are all making it harder and harder to even root the phone much less getting around the locked bootloader (HTC as mention is the current exception).
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Thank you for the reply, and that is unfortunate. I really hope the other manufactures see the light soon like HTC still does. I might just get the M8 or their next flagship phone.
LegoFarmer said:
Thank you for the reply, and that is unfortunate. I really hope the other manufactures see the light soon like HTC still does. I might just get the M8 or their next flagship phone.
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I heard safestrap support will end in September, so I'm not sure if Android L roms would be available with safestrap.
Don't forget that when it comes to the bootloader, it is really the carriers and not so much the manufacturers who are to blame. The Verizon and AT&T S5s have locked bootloaders, but the T-Mobile and Sprint versions do not have a locked bootloader. So people who want unlocked bootloaders should look more at switching carrires rather than phone manufacturers. I know this is not always possible considering coverage based on where people live. Unfortunately, Verizon seems to have the best coverage and best network, and they are determined to have locked bootloaders.
landshark68 said:
Don't forget that when it comes to the bootloader, it is really the carriers and not so much the manufacturers who are to blame. The Verizon and AT&T S5s have locked bootloaders, but the T-Mobile and Sprint versions do not have a locked bootloader. So people who want unlocked bootloaders should look more at switching carrires rather than phone manufacturers. I know this is not always possible considering coverage based on where people live. Unfortunately, Verizon seems to have the best coverage and best network, and they are determined to have locked bootloaders.
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I just don't get why they care so much, you know? The only real reason I can think of is inexperienced people bricking their phones and trying to warranty it from them.
LegoFarmer said:
I just don't get why they care so much, you know? The only real reason I can think of is inexperienced people bricking their phones and trying to warranty it from them.
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That and trying to secure corporate and government contracts to supply phones. Both entities are looking for as much security as they can get in the phones their employees use.
landshark68 said:
That and trying to secure corporate and government contracts to supply phones. Both entities are looking for as much security as they can get in the phones their employees use.
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This. My company had a byod going on, but if you wanted a corporate provided phone, Blackberry was only choice. 9930 at that.
3 weeks ago I got them to approve a Galaxy S 5 for me because of the Knox support and what not.
I was able to root it, remove bloatware at least, block ota, then unroot and reenroll in our emails.
Verizon Galaxy S5 Bootloader Has Been Unlocked!!
http://goo.gl/y7pLhm
Proof of Concept Shown on Video
https://goo.gl/sI2ZO4
"Verizon has a storied history with regards to bootloader unlocking – namely, they hate the very idea of it. For years now, Verizon has maintained that preventing you from unlocking your device’s bootloader is for your own benefit.
In a letter sent to customers who filed a complaint with the FCC, Verizon states that:
“[A]n open bootloader could prevent Verizon Wireless from providing the same level of customer experience and support because it would allow users to change their phone or otherwise modify the software and, potentially, negatively impact how the phone connects with the network.”
There is some truth to this claim, as users with unlocked bootloaders are able to modify the device’s radio files which could potentially cause problems with cellular connectivity. Verizon also states that :
“The addition of unapproved software could also negatively impact the wireless experience for other customers.”
We all know what they mean by this – they don’t want people to use tethering. Not unexpected, of course, as Verizon wants to make money off of anyone using their mobile network. The same is true for almost every carrier. However, Verizon (along with AT&T) is unique in its stubbornness to lock down its devices, with nearly every device released for its network being unable to be unlocked. They would rather you purchase an entirely new phone to be able to unlock your bootloader, rather than sticking with what you have.
Victory for the Consumer
For months, Verizon Galaxy S5 users have waited for even a simple root method. They eventually got one thanks to the community coming together and setting a bounty for it, incentivizing any developer looking to claim nearly $20,000! But the holy grail that the Verizon Galaxy S5 community was looking out for – and what they pledged their money to see – was still out of reach. Until today, that is. Beaups, a member of the Firewater team, has just posted a video demonstrating a proof of concept for unlocking the S5 bootloader. This process shows a Verizon Galaxy S5 bootloader being put into developer mode, though the proof of concept should work on any S5. At the moment, there are no determined plans to release the unlocking method as it is merely a proof of concept, but the implications of this development should excite every Verizon Galaxy S5 owner. Who knows, maybe your device will eventually be able to join the list of devices that are tasting that sweet, sweet Marshmallow."
Hoping this will lead to somewhere with the note 4 but I'm not gonna hold my breath
That's a lot of hype for a device that isn't ours. Also:
"At the moment, there are no determined plans to release the unlocking method as it is merely a proof of concept,"
So, that's good to hear. But let's cool the hype a touch. There are so many reasons why this could or could not work for us that its a really premature to be celebrating. Hell, the intended device doesn't even have a release yet.
Saw 4.4.2 on the pc screen in the video?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
I hope it leads somewhere for you guys, but consider that the S5 is old news,obsolete. Given the time frame from release of the S5 to the "unlock", the Note 4 will be as useful as the old Razor from Motorola is now.....
Im just saying, dont get excited to just be let down again.
Hi XDA,
I'm pretty new here and I hope that this is the right section for this. Keeping it short, I'm going to receive a brand new Galaxy S8 from Europe, but it's going to be locked on T-Mobile Germany, since this is where I'm getting from.
As far as I know, I will be able to use it here, on AT&T, but only after unlocking it. And here comes my question: how can I do this? I know about flashing firmware or something like that, but, honestly, I'm not such a tech savvy person. Is there such thing as an easier method?
Thanks in advance,
George
You need to pay for an unlock code, cheapest ones are usually on ebay.
peachpuff said:
You need to pay for an unlock code, cheapest ones are usually on ebay.
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I don't know if TMOBILE GERMANY works the same way as they do here in the US - but there are guidelines for when yoiu get a phone unlocked by teh carrier - and they have started using an AP that makes it impossible to use an UNLOCKED CODE to unlock the device. I found this ouit with the S6 when I purchased it (and the Note 5)
Their rules are pretty strict here in the US - you have to own the phone and be on service for 44 days before they will release the phone to be unlocked - unless you have been with TMOBILE for moe than a year in which case they will give allow you to unlock immediately.
Now that is here in the US and I am not sure if they do the same thing with TMOBILE Germany. BUT I would definitely look into it before you buy it.
You might consider buying a G950F and just use that - it is already unlocked and will work fine on ATT.
whatever you do - good luck.
Hello,
I recently saw the (samsung.com) Buy One Get One (/us/mobile/phones/t-mobile-free-galaxy-s8-promotion) deal on the Samsung S8. I am really interested. The deal applies on buying the T-Mobile variants directly from samsung.com. (Not through T-Mobile)
However, I am from India, and am currently travelling to the US. I would like to buy both the phones and get them unlocked later so that I can use them back in India. I do not mind buying/activating a new T-Mobile line on one of the phones as long as I can SIM unlock the phone later for use with other SIMs. From what I read, T-Mobile does not have these phones registered in their database and it is difficult to get them to unlock the phone for me. What usually ends up happening is that Samsung people redirect to T-Mobile, who in turn redirect back to Samsung. Has anybody had any success?
Here are a couple of reddit threads dealing with the same matter (can't post links yet, sorry) :
/r/tmobile/comments/68w6ow/samsungcom_tmobile_s8_sim_unlock/
/r/tmobile/comments/6crs6v/unlocking_samsung_galaxy_purchased_from_samsungcom/
/r/GalaxyS8/comments/67a942/how_to_get_sim_unlock_code_for_phones_purchased/
Please let me know if this is possible, and how it can be done.
I have T-mo phone bought and paid in full direct from Samsung and I can confirm this nonsense, which should be totally illegal: T-mo has no record of my phone's IMEI and Samsung can't unlock the phone without T-mo. You could try paid services, but I have no idea how well and if they even work. You could also wait for root and probably unlock then, but it's risky. So far I have not been able to resolve this issue.
pete4k said:
I have T-mo phone bought and paid in full direct from Samsung and I can confirm this nonsense, which should be totally illegal: T-mo has no record of my phone's IMEI and Samsung can't unlock the phone without T-mo. You could try paid services, but I have no idea how well and if they even work. You could also wait for root and probably unlock then, but it's risky. So far I have not been able to resolve this issue.
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That's sad to hear. I would have loved to get the phone using this offer. From what I gathered from the reddit threads, you basically have to grind down on customer support (either Samsung or T-Mobile) to get it unlocked from their side.
Hello XDA community. Just want to thank the providers, mods and users in advance for providing a cool forum to discuss related matters, as well as for any help provided to me in my struggle to get past this carrier locked bootloader. I find it very bothersome to not have access to my own phone by root. Especially now when my carrier (to be unnamed here) is forcing a sim card swap and re-branding of its company in my province in Canada under new agreement and terms in time with the passing of bill C-11.
Bill C-11: An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act and the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts.
Given the political climate, i'm deciding to leave this carrier. I've a sat phone with a large bank of minutes which lacks the usefulness of a smart device. But will have to do if alternative carrier (volta wireless https://www.voltawireless.com/ ) is unable to provide functional alternative. I'm currently waiting for a sim card from Volta but have concerns about the ability to use their app on this phone with the current firmware installed. I've already discovered, after resisting 3 years of updates on this phone, when i allowed the phone to update in order to install gopro software ( it killed me to do it, but needed camera for an event and panicked), that certain radio show app would no longer access or buffer stream from source. So i have a feeling apps like Volta Wireless one are going to struggle as well. I've not tested with their sim card installed yet, but currently the Volta app is able to receive sms, but not send. Voice and data appear to be working though. So a third party voip app would likely function. (need to test) I've heard reports of others with this issue leading me to wonder if the One Ui or android version might be playing a hand?
Please bear with me. My experience with much of this technology in terms of unlocking or rooting is limited. I've jailbroke my Iphone4 a long time ago, my samsung S5 (also had a carrier locked bootloader that was able to circumvent) i rooted about 5 years ago with cyangenmod and then drove over it with my truck.
My current phone delema:
Samsung S8 sm-g950w / G950WVLS8CTI1 question? does the "S8" mean it has vers 8 bootloader?
One UI version 1.0 / Android ver 9
Currently i'm 100% missing the "OEM unlock" toggle. No amount of changing date and queuing the update will help as is a Canadian carrier with modded rom - G950WVLS8CTI1 i believe.
I could use some guidance from the more experienced than I. Even if to simply tell me there is not currently a viable option for this phone. Newb question- Can Odin flash a rom on the dl screen with a locked bootloader? I'm curious how a rom set by sammobile would work? - https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-s8/firmware/SM-G950W/XAC/download/G950WVLS8CTI1/376914/ As i recall that was the solution to getting past this same issue with my old Samsung S5. I followed a guide on that and likely different circumstances on my S8 phone now.
Security is of concern so root modding with online service seems too sketchy to me, both in terms of the phone and the credit card required. I think sammobile would be pretty secure if solution was applying their rom if possible?
Once again, thanks in advance for any who read this far. I appreciate any advice or opinions on anything discussed. Let me know what your thoughts are on service like Volta. There is not unlimited data plans in my province / region. So if their service works then it will be very worth it. I just need a good rooted phone with secure platform to test their app on to know if it works with their carrier sim card installed. They do sell a phone but i'm wading in on a month to month to test first. This service is more or less in beta in my region and they are ruffling feathers (based on bot messaging on youtube results). I'll report my findings here.
Stay free!