I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 apparently originally a 930V. It purchased it from someone used in perfect condition, and it is running the Samsung stock AT&T firmware of 930U. The phone functions perfectly well, except for Wifi calling, HD Voice, and Number Sync with my Galaxy Gear S3 Frontier that I did purchase directly from AT&T. When I talked to the 'advanced' technical support, they looked up the IMEI of the phone and said, 'that IMEI is not shown as an AT&T branded phone as it is not in our database of devices sold by AT&T, therefore these services will not work.' Long story short, the Samsung Galaxy S7's are identical hardware, and it's running Samsung stock AT&T firmware. This means there is ZERO technical reason why these services won't work. They don't work simply because AT&T blocks them from working because the IMEI of my phone isn't in their database of phones they themselves have sold. So, they are literally blocking me from using services that I pay for because I didn't buy the phone from them, which is their way of trying to force me to purchase a phone from them. I filed a complaint with the FCC. They sent my complaint to AT&T, whereby I received an email from Misti Nations at the Office of the President for AT&T, who wanted to contact me to 'work towards a resolution.' Her definition of 'work towards a resolution' was to try to force me to buy a phone from them. Didn't try to debate at all on the merit of the complaint, didn't deny that there is zero technical reason it won't work, all she did was point to their terms of service agreement which says 'if you bring your own phone to AT&T, it is POSSIBLE that not all services will work correctly', which in her mind explains away my complaint. It does not. 'May not work' is far, far different than 'we will not allow to work.' So, I'm waiting to hear back from the FCC on this, just had the call with Misti this morning.
My opinion is we can't let carrier's block features simply because they don't like that the phone wasn't purchased from them. If they were allowing the services to attempt to function and they didn't, I wouldn't complain. I am PISSED because they are specifically preventing me from using services I am paying for, simply because they want to force me to buy a phone from them. We should NOT let AT&T (and others if they also follow this practice) to get away with either extortion, or pure laziness on their tech side (we don't want to allow it because who knows it MIGHT cause an issue, we're too lazy to check). So please, others in my boat that see this thread, also file a complaint with the FCC. Let's flood them and stop this extortionist practice by carriers!
No thanks: no evidence of "blocking" services or "forcing" purchases. You actually sound a bit nutz.
I have an original 930u on stock firmware. It lacks the software to make those features work along with all of the AT&T bloat. I believe the software for the true AT&T variant has and allows those options but it has not been able to be added to the U firmware.
Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk
Other carriers do this all the time. I brought my ATT device to cricket and now I am not able to use wifi calling since it's not on their imei database to allow the feature to be turned on even though it would work no problem.
spasch said:
I have an original 930u on stock firmware. It lacks the software to make those features work along with all of the AT&T bloat. I believe the software for the true AT&T variant has and allows those options but it has not been able to be added to the U firmware.
Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same phone, and can't use it in Southamerica. I think it's a AT&T model. I'm not interested in updating software or anything, just any stock rom available that it would make it work? Moderator Edit: NO IMEI talk on XDA I can't even root the phone with odin.
First off, make sure you have the right G930U AT&T firmware, not the unbranded one. Second of all, you're flashing different firmware and expecting them to accommodate you; that's LOL-worthy.
Related
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
As with a lot of other people on this site, I'm wondering which carrier will be best to pre-order from? I use Verizon but HATE the fact that most of the times it's one of the last carriers to be able to root the phone. I would also hate for this to turn into another Verizon Samsung Note 4 issue. Too bad the rumors where Samsung was going to start making phones that were both CDMA & GSM/UTMS were not true (as far as I am aware of).
This way since I'm now paying outright for my phones (roughly $800 bucks for 7 Edge), I could use it if I moved between carriers. After reading some other posts, now I'm wondering If I'm paying full price (paid in full), Will it be unlocked? I can't be the only one that feels RIPPED OFF when I pay $800 for a device and can't have root = have my own admin access. Can you imagine buying a laptop and not being able to install/change your own OS? not having admin rights/root?
I feel it's a MAJOR excuse for a carrier to even say - if we give you root & you change the ROM, then it makes it more difficult to help you. Guess what?!? I have not ever asked for help and nor would I... Besides, why couldn't they ask for the ROM version your using... if it matches theirs, they assist... if it doesn't, they tell you before they can assist you, you must put their ROM back on? Yes - there will always be that one person... but hey - if they were able to gain root and swap the ROM, they should be able to swap it back or pay to have it swapped back. OR at least pay for insurance and "accidentally drop it" and have it replaced.
It really bites that I (along with so many other people) want to pre-order the phone for several reasons (the free VR and games along with getting the phone first) but don't want to be SCREWED by one specific carrier and not be able to unlock the phone, root and replace the ROM.
So after all that - which carrier (historically) is the best to purchase from?
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
Additional INFO - I'm also about to call Verizon to confirm - But I read 2-3 months ago that Verizon will now allow another carrier's phone on their network (if it is CDMA). If that's true, then why not purchase the phone thru Sprint or US Cellular if historically those phones have been rooted easier than Verizon? I've been on Verizon for so long, that I'm really not sure...
Comments? suggestions?
What I'm going to do is pre-order from eBay.
The phones have a hell of a mark-up (+$200/$300), but there are unlocked Qualcomms that are usually rooted much more quickly with better support for AOSP.
I hate paying that much, but I'm going to have this phone for years, and the hassle from carrier-branded phones just isn't worth it.
Edit: You should still be able to add insurance and such through your carrier too, depending on their policies.
Didn't have an issue insuring previous phones with AT&T even though they were bought off-plan through other retailers.
It is slightly cheaper when buying it from Best Buy, $779 vs $792. I saw the T-mobile version supports band 13 LTE, but I didn't see anything about CDMA support.
I also did follow up with Verizon about placing a phone on their network that was not purchased from Verizon. They said it is currently limited to 2 phones - I don't have the names because I didn't care much......they couldn't tell me the S7 would be added to the list. So does that mean people on Verizon are STUCK purchasing from Verizon?
For my s6 edge I much preferred the unlocked UK version over the US AT&T version. (Which is why I asked in another thread when we can expect to see unlocked international versions).
AT&T not only added crazy bloat but removed really cool features from the phone. Just took em right out. They also removed Samsung deals/bundles from the phone (there was a MS suite and a free TB of storage or something removed). And in exchange for screwing with the phone they had crazy delays on updates (because they had to re-remove and re-screw the phone).
Coming from iPhone I just can't deal with carrier customizations. Unlocked for life. (crazy that Apple is unlocked now and Android isn't -- bizarro world).
JustWannaRom said:
I also did follow up with Verizon about placing a phone on their network that was not purchased from Verizon. They said it is currently limited to 2 phones - I don't have the names because I didn't care much......they couldn't tell me the S7 would be added to the list. So does that mean people on Verizon are STUCK purchasing from Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus devices are the exception (6, 5X and 6P). The problem with VZW and Sprint is that they use proprietary CDMA technology for voice communication. You can bring just about any device to their networks and have data but you won't be able to make voice calls in most cases.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
JustWannaRom said:
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
As with a lot of other people on this site, I'm wondering which carrier will be best to pre-order from? I use Verizon but HATE the fact that most of the times it's one of the last carriers to be able to root the phone. I would also hate for this to turn into another Verizon Samsung Note 4 issue. Too bad the rumors where Samsung was going to start making phones that were both CDMA & GSM/UTMS were not true (as far as I am aware of).
This way since I'm now paying outright for my phones (roughly $800 bucks for 7 Edge), I could use it if I moved between carriers. After reading some other posts, now I'm wondering If I'm paying full price (paid in full), Will it be unlocked? I can't be the only one that feels RIPPED OFF when I pay $800 for a device and can't have root = have my own admin access. Can you imagine buying a laptop and not being able to install/change your own OS? not having admin rights/root?
I feel it's a MAJOR excuse for a carrier to even say - if we give you root & you change the ROM, then it makes it more difficult to help you. Guess what?!? I have not ever asked for help and nor would I... Besides, why couldn't they ask for the ROM version your using... if it matches theirs, they assist... if it doesn't, they tell you before they can assist you, you must put their ROM back on? Yes - there will always be that one person... but hey - if they were able to gain root and swap the ROM, they should be able to swap it back or pay to have it swapped back. OR at least pay for insurance and "accidentally drop it" and have it replaced.
It really bites that I (along with so many other people) want to pre-order the phone for several reasons (the free VR and games along with getting the phone first) but don't want to be SCREWED by one specific carrier and not be able to unlock the phone, root and replace the ROM.
So after all that - which carrier (historically) is the best to purchase from?
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
Additional INFO - I'm also about to call Verizon to confirm - But I read 2-3 months ago that Verizon will now allow another carrier's phone on their network (if it is CDMA). If that's true, then why not purchase the phone thru Sprint or US Cellular if historically those phones have been rooted easier than Verizon? I've been on Verizon for so long, that I'm really not sure...
Comments? suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile period, not going to lock the boot loader you'll be able to root (provided the community finds a way, but it's a snap dragon and unlocked bootloader so they will most likely before it even releases. ) second if you don't want tmo service you can still root it and use am at&t sim so there's that.
I had an interesting conversion on AT&T's forum today. In short, I learned that both AT&T and Verizon had Samsung "hard code" their software to all their phones by altering the bootloader in version 5.1.1. This is nothing new to anyone who's tried to root their AT&T or Verizon Note Edge after the update. We know it as "branding", but in the past it was something we could usually bypass. No more. These "damaged" bootloaders will never allow these phones (and all future phones) to be rooted or upgraded EVER AGAIN. It's just not something a piece of software or an app can ever bypass. Even if you had AT&T unlock the SIM and you went to T-Mobile, you still have to live with AT&T's mountain of bloatware because the ROM can't be flashed. It like buying a PC and not being able to delete Windows Vista...ever. The horror.
What makes it worse is that doing a carrier unlock and jumping ship will get you no joy. I asked how someone gets OTA updates on a carrier unlocked phone and they said you can't. You can never update again. You'll need to go to Best Buy and have them flash updates for as long as you own the phone. How this doesn't violate the carrier unlock law is beyond me.
Google created an operating system that was supposed to be open source. We were happy to play the root game for years, but now AT&T and Verizon have changed the rules of the game and effectively put an end to the idea of open source. Now AT&T and Verizon androids are no better than iphones. If you ever want to root your Samsung devices in the future, DO NOT BUY YOUR PHONE FROM EITHER OF THESE CARRIERS!
This is a practice that they have already admitted will continue. #unlockourbootloaders
Sign the United States petition to stop this at once: http://wh.gov/iGwh4
Thankfully, the firmwares are available (usually) quite quickly, and the drivers and tutorials are easily found so you can flash your own update with ease!
I understand your frustration, but thanks to XDA Devs all of this is manageable.
I agree about the open-source comment, btw.
I caveat by saying the forum would not let me post anywhere but the general forum right now so that's why I'm posting here.
I've read a bunch of conflicting threads and info lately but nothing concise in regards to what I'm trying to do and need some help.
This is my first ever android phone. I'm coming from an iPhone 6 as a heavy business user. WiFi Calling is extremely important because my house has terrible cell reception. I recently purchased an SM-G935FD (duos phone) and I'm a USA AT&T customer. I rooted the phone day one but had not yet swapped the SIM card. I chose the DUOs because I do quite a bit of international travel and I liked the hardware of the XYNOS platform better than snapdragon. Unfortunately I didn't realize or suspect that WiFI calling would potentially become a problem. I could care less about Samsung or Apple Pay for that matter, nor do I really care about Voltos. But wifi calling is a deal breaker.
I rooted the phone, and I put flash fire on there but really don't know how to use it. I found some people saying that my phone can accept both the SM-G935F firmwares and FD firmwares, but others who were skeptical. And people saying that there were firmwares that did have wifi calling enabled and others who said no.
At the moment I am back on the iPhone 6 because the Samsung is useless to me until I figure out how to get wifi calling enabled on there.
So... I'm confused. IS there a firmware I can flash my rooted unlocked S7 that will enable this? How exactly do I go about doing that with either flash fire or smart switch? I looked, but I am having difficulty finding a guide on doing this. The phone is already a paperweight, but I don't want to brick it as well lol.
Thanks for the help.
Usaf-lt-g said:
I caveat by saying the forum would not let me post anywhere but the general forum right now so that's why I'm posting here.
I've read a bunch of conflicting threads and info lately but nothing concise in regards to what I'm trying to do and need some help.
This is my first ever android phone. I'm coming from an iPhone 6 as a heavy business user. WiFi Calling is extremely important because my house has terrible cell reception. I recently purchased an SM-G935FD (duos phone) and I'm a USA AT&T customer. I rooted the phone day one but had not yet swapped the SIM card. I chose the DUOs because I do quite a bit of international travel and I liked the hardware of the XYNOS platform better than snapdragon. Unfortunately I didn't realize or suspect that WiFI calling would potentially become a problem. I could care less about Samsung or Apple Pay for that matter, nor do I really care about Voltos. But wifi calling is a deal breaker.
I rooted the phone, and I put flash fire on there but really don't know how to use it. I found some people saying that my phone can accept both the SM-G935F firmwares and FD firmwares, but others who were skeptical. And people saying that there were firmwares that did have wifi calling enabled and others who said no.
At the moment I am back on the iPhone 6 because the Samsung is useless to me until I figure out how to get wifi calling enabled on there.
So... I'm confused. IS there a firmware I can flash my rooted unlocked S7 that will enable this? How exactly do I go about doing that with either flash fire or smart switch? I looked, but I am having difficulty finding a guide on doing this. The phone is already a paperweight, but I don't want to brick it as well lol.
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u need to go read over the custom roms and recoverys forum for the s7 edge.
ecg803 said:
u need to go read over the custom roms and recoverys forum for the s7 edge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I think I got it figured out. I changed the CSC using TWRC over to an att USA CSC and that seems to have at least enabled the menus for this functionality. I haven't moved the SIM back over there to test it though.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would move this thread to the AT&T specific section. My understanding is that specific drivers are needed to do WiFi calling on AT&T and it's not baked in and the model you bought is not sold in the states whether it's sim unlocked or not. Also, why would you root/jailbreak a phone running an OS that you have no real experience with? If you can't get it to work then I'd return it and either buy the AT&T version outright an have them unlock it for you or go to Best Buy, Amazon or Samsung themselves and buy the single sim unlocked version. You may still have issues with that unlocked version if AT&T's Wifi calling is as locked up as I remember. T-Mobiles wifi calling works with your handset but it also has oddities such as the TMO sim must be in sim slot 1 to work. Because that model is not normally used with U.S. carriers .. they kinda don't give a crap about it so the work is on you.
Since this is your first Android phone .. I don't want you to think this is a problem with the OS or even with Samsung. It's just how things work. Apple allows carrier specific network files to be pushed to iOS where that's not the case with Android. I think maybe backup and stop hacking on things would be a good piece of advice. Take it for what it is. I just would like to prevent another iOS switcher from running around saying Android suck because things didn't go the way they thought would.
Cheers.
aergern said:
I would move this thread to the AT&T specific section. My understanding is that specific drivers are needed to do WiFi calling on AT&T and it's not baked in and the model you bought is not sold in the states whether it's sim unlocked or not. Also, why would you root/jailbreak a phone running an OS that you have no real experience with? If you can't get it to work then I'd return it and either buy the AT&T version outright an have them unlock it for you or go to Best Buy, Amazon or Samsung themselves and buy the single sim unlocked version. You may still have issues with that unlocked version if AT&T's Wifi calling is as locked up as I remember. T-Mobiles wifi calling works with your handset but it also has oddities such as the TMO sim must be in sim slot 1 to work. Because that model is not normally used with U.S. carriers .. they kinda don't give a crap about it so the work is on you.
Since this is your first Android phone .. I don't want you to think this is a problem with the OS or even with Samsung. It's just how things work. Apple allows carrier specific network files to be pushed to iOS where that's not the case with Android. I think maybe backup and stop hacking on things would be a good piece of advice. Take it for what it is. I just would like to prevent another iOS switcher from running around saying Android suck because things didn't go the way they thought would.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok slow down. I don't think any of that at all regarding saying or
Thinking android sucks nor would I make such a conclusion. Lol. Also couldn't put the thread there, wouldn't let me create a thread over there (said im "too newb")
I'm a LONG time older comp sci major who works for a software company and has been doing consulting for a number of years. All day every day I deal with every software imaginable. It just HAPPENS that this is my first android phone, and Therefore is not that familiar to me yet. The only reason I had an iPhone and idevices (all jailbroken) in the first place was because at the time, my company was locked to Apple mobile devices. I'm actually simultaneously working with piemessage to try and get a VM up and running to allow me to use iMessage on Android
Also I understand their may be some nuisances of screwing with other packages and drivers. I did do the CSC update and that "enabled" at least the menus and the ability to turn the features On. Whether or not it's working, I have no idea. Without a SIN card inserted however, I was able to place a cal using google hangouts dialer without any issue whatsoever, but as that is a different app then the actual phone dialer... I'm not sure if that proves anything. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but making a wifi cal through Hangouts Dialer connected to my google voice number without a SIM card inserted is different than dialing a number using the phone app.
Unfortunately, the only real way for me to test it, is to take the SIM back out of my iPhone, call att again and have them switch the IMEI again. At least google voice wouldn't configure properly until I did that and it took forever to get the call forwarding reset. And my problem is I'm going on a business trip tomorrow and don't have the time to be swapping SIM cards back and forth.
Maybe I'll just put it in letter without calling AT&T and see if it works anyways. Are there any prevalent icons up at the top to indicate it's a wifi call being made vs a cell call?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Usaf-lt-g said:
Ok slow down. I don't think any of that at all regarding saying or
Thinking android sucks nor would I make such a conclusion. Lol. I'm a
LONG time older comp sci major who works for a software company and has been doing consulting for a number of years. All day every day I deal with every software imaginable. It just HAPPENS that this is my first android phone, and Therefore is not that familiar to me yet. The only reason I had an iPhone and idevices (all jailbroken) in the first place was because at the time, my company was locked to Apple mobile devices. I'm actually simultaneously working with piemessage to try and get a VM up and running to allow me to use iMessage on Android
Also I understand their may be some nuisances of screwing with other packages and drivers. I did do the CSC update and that "enabled" at least the menus and the ability to turn the features On. Whether or not it's working, I have no idea. Without a SIN card inserted however, I was able to place a cal using google hangouts dialer without any issue whatsoever, but as that is a different app then the actual phone dialer... I'm not sure if that proves anything. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but making a wifi cal through Hangouts Dialer connected to my google voice number without a SIM card inserted is different than dialing a number using the phone app.
Unfortunately, the only real way for me to test it, is to take the SIM back out of my iPhone, call att again and have them switch the IMEI again. At least google voice wouldn't configure properly until I did that and it took forever to get the call forwarding reset. And my problem is I'm going on a business trip tomorrow and don't have the time to be swapping SIM cards back and forth.
Maybe I'll just put it in letter without calling AT&T and see if it works anyways. Are there any prevalent icons up at the top to indicate it's a wifi call being made vs a cell call?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, ya never know what folks know.
I've just encountered a lot of folks who are smart techies who have used iPhones for a long time and Android frustrates them and then they freak out. My bad. I apologize.
I still think you need to check the AT&T specific section. I've read that the proper support for AT&T's wifi calling isn't baked into AOSP like T-Mobile has theirs baked in. This could have changed but I don't think so. The other calls ie. Hangouts, Google Voice and Skype aren't controlled by AT&T so I would assume they'd work regardless. The wifi calling registers with AT&T's servers/routers ... what they require for this handshake I'm not entirely sure. I know that when I tried it out using my Nexus 6P it didn't work out of the box but I didn't spend a lot of time on it either.
Ah. I get you about the business trip thing. It's why I bought the unlocked S7E .. I have to swap to often when traveling. I did this after I bought the version you have. I found that 1 sim slot would do LTE/3G/2G and the other was stuck on 2G only and that it would random switch from sim 1 to sim 2 when I was in the States with my personal TMO sim and my work AT&T simcard. It was too irritating so now I just expense the TMO account and gave back the AT&T sim. Not an option for everyone .. I get that.
Also, I did read that AT&T likes to jack folks around on speed when it's not one of their phones and there is a fix involving the EMEI number being changed in your account .. I can't remember where on XDA I found that trick but I'm sure a search will find it for you.
Hope you get it working. The S7E is a nice phone.
Safe travels. Cheers.
hey go check out sac23 rom it is USA att ported note 7 rom. It has wifi calling.
ecg803 said:
hey go check out sac23 rom it is USA att ported note 7 rom. It has wifi calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call. Just loaded it, will test wifi calling.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What was your result? I'm in the same boat, thought this model would be useful for business trips. Also need Wi-Fi calling at home, but no dice.
I bought an unlocked S8 at Best Buy because it was a good deal.
However, I'm noticing AT&T is restricting Wifi calling. There isn't even an option to turn in on.
Are they preventing this? If so, can I get it turned on by them ? I'm assuming there is a ROM I could flash to get it, but I would hate nothing during flashing bricking my phone.
Any other features I'm missing? Since I have really bad coverage at my desk at work, WIFI calling is important to me. I'm considering returning the phone and going to ATT brand, but there is a $35.00 restocking fee. I feel Best Buy should have told me the downsides of an unlocked.
I didn't get any restocking fee when I returned my ATT S8. Got a full refund, no questions asked. Besides if you're just swapping out to another carrier one, I'm sure they will waive it. I have MintSim (Tmo) and WiFi calling can be enabled and works fine for me on the unlocked firmware on my Vzw S8.
AFAIK, AT&T does not allow wifi calling for non-branded phones.
Can anyone explain to my why this would be? Is there any technical reason that they cannot do this on an non branded phone or are they being difficult?
I know it could be that they are strong armming me into another 2 year agreement, but if I can't use Wifi Calling, I cannot use their service due to poor reception at work. I think it would be in their best interest to let me use this feature.
Everyone I talked to on phone and in store basically act like it should be fine.
PS Running Android 7.0
bdaoust said:
Can anyone explain to my why this would be? Is there any technical reason that they cannot do this on an non branded phone or are they being difficult?
I know it could be that they are strong armming me into another 2 year agreement, but if I can't use Wifi Calling, I cannot use their service due to poor reception at work. I think it would be in their best interest to let me use this feature.
Everyone I talked to on phone and in store basically act like it should be fine.
PS Running Android 7.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am slightly confident that CSC (country/carrier specific code) patch can fix this issue but you would need to look into the other section for that and I say this because it fixed VoLTE issue for some other guys...
WiFi is not possible on AT&T network with the Unlocked version of S8 phones
This may help others who are considering the Unlocked S8.
Note: As of today, no options available from either AT&T or Samsung to enable WiFi calling.
After multiple trips to AT&T, BestBuy Samsung, chat sessions with Samsung support and now calling Samsung Premium Care, I finally confirmed that the Unlocked S8 model does not have any possible software upgrade to enable WiFi calling. Why did so many not know?
Samsung:
Please revise your website to clearly state the limitation, (WiFi is not possible on AT&T network ), with the Unlocked version of your S8 phones.
What's Next?
I was told that there is nothing that Samsung can do for me but Return the phone for Refund.
Now returning this phone requires me to again pay additional cost for replacing/activating another SIM for my old phone to use during the time I process an order for my next phone. Samsung cost me hours of my time and wasted my money.
bdaoust said:
I bought an unlocked S8 at Best Buy because it was a good deal.
However, I'm noticing AT&T is restricting Wifi calling. There isn't even an option to turn in on.
Are they preventing this? If so, can I get it turned on by them ? I'm assuming there is a ROM I could flash to get it, but I would hate nothing during flashing bricking my phone.
Any other features I'm missing? Since I have really bad coverage at my desk at work, WIFI calling is important to me. I'm considering returning the phone and going to ATT brand, but there is a $35.00 restocking fee. I feel Best Buy should have told me the downsides of an unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dealing with the same thing and entirely frustrated. so much wasted time that a simple disclaimer would've saved me from.
wifi calling is a feature enabled by a carrier, not the phone brand. if you want wifi-calling, flash the relevant firmware for your carrier just like i did for VZW to get wifi-calling to work. and btw, this information was widely known by doing some research previous to purchase. i had no problem finding this out but ordered anyway with the intent to flash the firmware.
knightsfury said:
wifi calling is a feature enabled by a carrier, not the phone brand. if you want wifi-calling, flash the relevant firmware for your carrier just like i did for VZW to get wifi-calling to work. and btw, this information was widely known by doing some research previous to purchase. i had no problem finding this out but ordered anyway with the intent to flash the firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i flashed it with straight up ATT, all files from here:
joe3681 said:
AT&T QF7 (latest fw)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and wifi calling won't work. just gives me this message:
"Oops!
We can't turn on Wi-Fi Calling for your account. Think this message is a mistake? Ask the person who can make account changes to call us..."
After numerous calls to Samsung and AT&T you absolutely cannot enable wifi calling on the unlocked phone. Only phones purchased as AT&T branded are allowed the full feature set.
If in fact you DID buy an AT&T S8, you can unlock it and keep said features, but not in reverse of that. Which blows.
fremitus said:
i flashed it with straight up ATT, all files from here:
and wifi calling won't work. just gives me this message:
"Oops!
We can't turn on Wi-Fi Calling for your account. Think this message is a mistake? Ask the person who can make account changes to call us..."
After numerous calls to Samsung and AT&T you absolutely cannot enable wifi calling on the unlocked phone. Only phones purchased as AT&T branded are allowed the full feature set.
If in fact you DID buy an AT&T S8, you can unlock it and keep said features, but not in reverse of that. Which blows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That really makes no sense.... (Not that you're lying) but there's specific firmwares for the unlocked S8's depending on carrier. the G950U1 has different CSC's depending on what carrier it's used for. Why do that if it doesn't enable that carriers features?!
joe3681 said:
That really makes no sense.... (Not that you're lying) but there's specific firmwares for the unlocked S8's depending on carrier. the G950U1 has different CSC's depending on what carrier it's used for. Why do that if it doesn't enable that carriers features?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flashing other carriers might work (like Tmobile), but not with ATT as they are using based on the IMEI registered with ATT brand.. so flashing any CSC won't enable it as long as you spoke to their customer care and provide your No and other ATT phone to activate Wifi calling on your number.. this is not 100% working method.. search through teh CSC selection forum there people posted a workaround.
KeithDo said:
This may help others who are considering the Unlocked S8.
Note: As of today, no options available from either AT&T or Samsung to enable WiFi calling.
After multiple trips to AT&T, BestBuy Samsung, chat sessions with Samsung support and now calling Samsung Premium Care, I finally confirmed that the Unlocked S8 model does not have any possible software upgrade to enable WiFi calling. Why did so many not know?
Samsung:
Please revise your website to clearly state the limitation, (WiFi is not possible on AT&T network ), with the Unlocked version of your S8 phones.
What's Next?
I was told that there is nothing that Samsung can do for me but Return the phone for Refund.
Now returning this phone requires me to again pay additional cost for replacing/activating another SIM for my old phone to use during the time I process an order for my next phone. Samsung cost me hours of my time and wasted my money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Time I understand. You will never get that back. The SIM card issue I don't understand. Didn't you keep the old sim card from your old phone. Yes, AT&T will have to reactivate it, but they should do that for free. The only time I've had to pay is when I needed to get a new physical SIM card because the size was wrong for the phone I wanted to use. If you kept the old SIM card, you can simply reactivate it and stick it in your old phone again.
joe3681 said:
That really makes no sense.... (Not that you're lying) but there's specific firmwares for the unlocked S8's depending on carrier. the G950U1 has different CSC's depending on what carrier it's used for. Why do that if it doesn't enable that carriers features?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's all tied to your IMEI, and that can't be changed. the VoLTE and Wifi Calling are non-existent unless you bought an ATT branded phone.
Guys ... I'm still looking for other options BUT this will work ....
If you have a business account you can just go in to the account and change your billing acct IMEI for your unlocked phone to an IMEI of an AT&T S8 (get one from a friend, go to the store and check out the displays, etc)
If you don't have a business acct call support , eventually you can get a person that knows what to do and they can plug in a working IMEI
This works ... works on my S7 Edge as well
Flashed unlocked phone with ATT FW. Then changed my account's imei with the imei from an ATT branded phone and that got me advanced calling options. Wifi calling will worked for about 10 seconds until ATT reads the phone's actual imei and then they turn off wifi calling. Volte will continue to work.
AT&T OTA Update Coming
All, I have just confirmed with AT&T they have made the request for an OTA update to enable WiFi Calling in the Settings Menu from Samsung. The time frame I was given as of yesterday 10/2/2017 was 14 days. So by 10/16/2017 S8 & S8+ phones should receive an OTA update that enables WiFi Calling feature.
vanornum said:
All, I have just confirmed with AT&T they have made the request for an OTA update to enable WiFi Calling in the Settings Menu from Samsung. The time frame I was given as of yesterday 10/2/2017 was 14 days. So by 10/16/2017 S8 & S8+ phones should receive an OTA update that enables WiFi Calling feature.
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Click to collapse
Very interesting! This would be a life saver. Do you trust their timeframe?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Hey. I finally found the Wifi calling settings.
Phone/ Dialer > Context Menu (the three dots on top right corner) > Settings > Wi-Fi calling > And I see my three options there.
I'm on Galaxy S8 G9500U1
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
aravreddy2231 said:
Hey. I finally found the Wifi calling settings.
Phone/ Dialer > Context Menu (the three dots on top right corner) > Settings > Wi-Fi calling > And I see my three options there.
I'm on Galaxy S8 G9500U1
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I don't see them (yet?)... SM-G955U1 with phone app version 2.3.00.20. What version of the app do you have?
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
Same
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Ok I have been reading about this from multiple resources and haven't seen a direct answer to my issue so I wanted to ask the community here. I want to thank everyone In advanced for taking time to read this and help me out.
I purchased a US Sprint S8 from a friend. He's called them and they unlocked the phone for us. I am attempting to add it to my Verizon plan. They are giving me the run around stating the IMEI isn't compatible. I am not seeing how this is possible as the S8 is showing it's both CDMA & GSM compatible. One rep in their tech support stated they could add the IMEI into their database and that will help resolve this, which was two days ago when they submitted that request (48 hour turnaround). I follow up with them and they are telling me it's not CDMA compatible blah blah blah. Now, the other thing worth mentioning is that when I take my Verizon SIM and insert into the sprint S8, it states that it's not a valid SIM.
Anyone recommend what's the best course of action here? I'm not the most savvy person when it comes to dealing with Odin and rooting the phone. Worse case scenario I am going to drop this thing on ebay and try to recover my expense.
Have a great day!
Holleman67 said:
Ok I have been reading about this from multiple resources and haven't seen a direct answer to my issue so I wanted to ask the community here. I want to thank everyone In advanced for taking time to read this and help me out.
I purchased a US Sprint S8 from a friend. He's called them and they unlocked the phone for us. I am attempting to add it to my Verizon plan. They are giving me the run around stating the IMEI isn't compatible. I am not seeing how this is possible as the S8 is showing it's both CDMA & GSM compatible. One rep in their tech support stated they could add the IMEI into their database and that will help resolve this, which was two days ago when they submitted that request (48 hour turnaround). I follow up with them and they are telling me it's not CDMA compatible blah blah blah. Now, the other thing worth mentioning is that when I take my Verizon SIM and insert into the sprint S8, it states that it's not a valid SIM.
Anyone recommend what's the best course of action here? I'm not the most savvy person when it comes to dealing with Odin and rooting the phone. Worse case scenario I am going to drop this thing on ebay and try to recover my expense.
Have a great day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The it's not CDMA is bull, Sprint is a CDMA carrier. The Sprint S8 also Supports Band 13.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
what model do you have?
My understanding is only 1 model is sold in the US, the SM-G950U. Has CDMA and all the LTE bands used in the US. Carriers just add their own bloatware.
Maybe you need a specific verizon sim. I know sprint needs specific sims for certain phones.
cpuspeed said:
what model do you have?
My understanding is only 1 model is sold in the US, the SM-G950U. Has CDMA and all the LTE bands used in the US. Carriers just add their own bloatware.
Maybe you need a specific verizon sim. I know sprint needs specific sims for certain phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The model in the US is SM-G950U on all carriers.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Holleman67 said:
Ok I have been reading about this from multiple resources and haven't seen a direct answer to my issue so I wanted to ask the community here. I want to thank everyone In advanced for taking time to read this and help me out.
I purchased a US Sprint S8 from a friend. He's called them and they unlocked the phone for us. I am attempting to add it to my Verizon plan. They are giving me the run around stating the IMEI isn't compatible. I am not seeing how this is possible as the S8 is showing it's both CDMA & GSM compatible. One rep in their tech support stated they could add the IMEI into their database and that will help resolve this, which was two days ago when they submitted that request (48 hour turnaround). I follow up with them and they are telling me it's not CDMA compatible blah blah blah. Now, the other thing worth mentioning is that when I take my Verizon SIM and insert into the sprint S8, it states that it's not a valid SIM.
Anyone recommend what's the best course of action here? I'm not the most savvy person when it comes to dealing with Odin and rooting the phone. Worse case scenario I am going to drop this thing on ebay and try to recover my expense.
Have a great day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am thinking that you may need to flash the unlocked firmware(G950U1) to your phone, which is XAA. Unlocked firmware includes many US CSC codes that should be compatible with most US carriers. Your Sprint phone may only have its own CSC which could be SPR, but Verizon's CSC is VZW.
Check out this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817 Ask your question on that thread as well.
Charkatak said:
I am thinking that you may need to flash the unlocked firmware(G950U1) to your phone, which is XAA. Unlocked firmware includes many US CSC codes that should be compatible with most US carriers. Your Sprint phone may only have its own CSC which could be SPR, but Verizon's CSC is VZW.
Check out this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817 Ask your question on that thread as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based off reading that thread you mentioned that would make sense hypothetically. Would you or anyone be aware if I flash this and it still doesn't work, can I flash back to sprint and sell it as a standard sprint phone? Don't want it bricked or be out the $$ by my half ass attempt of acting like I know what I'm doing.
Holleman67 said:
Based off reading that thread you mentioned that would make sense hypothetically. Would you or anyone be aware if I flash this and it still doesn't work, can I flash back to sprint and sell it as a standard sprint phone? Don't want it bricked or be out the $$ by my half ass attempt of acting like I know what I'm doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is always a risk, but first I flashed my unlocked model to T-Mobile firmware(using regular Odin app), used it for 2 months and recently flashed back(using custom Odin app) to unlocked firmware before putting my phone for sale of eBay. I personally take the risk especially if it doesn't work for you with Verizon and don't see a reason why you wouldn't be able to flash back in case you need it. In other words if you phone enters download mode, then it should be able to flash.
Charkatak said:
It is always a risk, but first I flashed my unlocked model to T-Mobile firmware(using regular Odin app), used it for 2 months and recently flashed back(using custom Odin app) to unlocked firmware before putting my phone for sale of eBay. I personally take the risk especially if it doesn't work for you with Verizon and don't see a reason why you wouldn't be able to flash back in case you need it. In other words if you phone enters download mode, then it should be able to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried to flash to g950u1 tonight and it didn't help the SIM issue. Going to try the Verizon version and also as the store to give me a new SIM card. Hoping this works out soon
Appreciate the advice!