Unlocked S8 G950U1 on Sprint, can I root and install recovery/ROMs? - Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions and Answers

I have an unlocked S8 (G950U1) that I bought directly from Samsung and activated on my Sprint service in the US. There doesnt seem to be much activity in the ROMs section for Sprint so Im wondering if I am able to root and install recovery/ROMs on this device? Will it still work on the Sprint network? Its been a while since Ive messed around with rooting a phone (last time was S3/S4) and things are a lot different these days. Im not looking to do anything crazy, just be able to remove some bloat or install a ROM that has bloat removed. Im assuming Knox will get tripped with a custom recovery, so will that break security (fingerprint/face) and NFC pay apps?

ryan2202 said:
I have an unlocked S8 (G950U1) that I bought directly from Samsung and activated on my Sprint service in the US. There doesnt seem to be much activity in the ROMs section for Sprint so Im wondering if I am able to root and install recovery/ROMs on this device? Will it still work on the Sprint network? Its been a while since Ive messed around with rooting a phone (last time was S3/S4) and things are a lot different these days. Im not looking to do anything crazy, just be able to remove some bloat or install a ROM that has bloat removed. Im assuming Knox will get tripped with a custom recovery, so will that break security (fingerprint/face) and NFC pay apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a root method and 1 rom look in dev sections
partcyborg rom 950u:good:
Also said root method can be a little overwhelming there will be errors along the way bust most are ok and normal read the whole thread Op several times....
As we have locked bootloaders we have to use an engineering kernel which is as well bl locked and we can only charge to 80% but it is a wonderful 80% that will most agreed beat stock SOTs

Related

Samsung Galaxy J3 SM-J320VPP Root help

Hi, and thanks for reading. i would like to know if theres a way of rooting the celphone Samsung Galaxy J3 SM-J320VPP. ive see Threads on sucefully rooting others models but not this one
I agree any dev out there want to let me know what you might possibly need in order to begin to exploit the boot loader. I know that the Samsung n4 fix is for a different chipset but there has to be a way to bypass Verizon's DMV so I can dump the boot loader and system and upload it for the community. I really really like this phone for its price point and I don't feel like that it should be let to the side because it's not a flagship. I'm not a dev but I'm also not new to the capabilities of this community. Any Assistance would be great
My issue is somewhat different, I have a banking app that reports my J3 as rooted (no other apps do) and I need a way to reverse or work around this flaw. The banking app does state for Galaxy S5 model that Android 6 Marshmallow is needed and I know I'm only on 5.1.1, but I'm not sure if the kernel and baseband used are the same.
Any help or advice appreciated. Or if I can root, update to 6 and then unroot to resolve this.
Any news? Just bought this phone on Verizon
No rooting so far. Kingo- and Kingroot APKs and PC versions fail to root, no custom recovery to flash SuperSU, and no vulnerabilities to exploit. I've had this phone for about 5 months now, and nothing sticks. But that's the way it goes with Verizon- branded devices - because the boot loader is locked there isn't much that can be done. The most I've been able to do is "convert" it to a SM-J320V by flashing that firmware via Odin. Still can't use non-Verizon SIMs though.
209pcs said:
No rooting so far. Kingo- and Kingroot APKs and PC versions fail to root, no custom recovery to flash SuperSU, and no vulnerabilities to exploit. I've had this phone for about 5 months now, and nothing sticks. But that's the way it goes with Verizon- branded devices - because the boot loader is locked there isn't much that can be done. The most I've been able to do is "convert" it to a SM-J320V by flashing that firmware via Odin. Still can't use non-Verizon SIMs though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does converting it allow you to use Verizon MVNO Sims without paying the ransom for a month of verizon prepaid service first to activate the phone ? I know you said no non Verizon sims but nkt sure if you meant MVNO too

Root Questions

I've rooted every phone I've ever gotten, mainly for adblockers.
I'm aware Samsung has e-fuses for knox in the past and I had no use for it. However, I'm new to s7 and not sure about private mode or any other new knox feature since note4.
Is there a way to root stock so I can install adblockers but not break knox or other features? What all will break exactly?
Furthermore, is it just root at this time or recoveries too? I don't even want to flash anything, just get root.
I have the master USA race T-Mobile version. I hear so far that it's only the Int'l models that have recoveries atm
Bump?
Anything that modifies the kernel will cause the efuse to break including rooting and recoveries because of dm verify.
currently snapdragon S7E can not be rooted effectively because the bootloader is locked and most developers will not touch them for now. Maybe in the future.

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

I have yet to find a simple guide on "How to load a custom ROM on your AT&T S7 Edge"
I've traveled all over the interwebs, including this website and many others but have not found a simple guide for noobs. I read about CWM, TWRP, Odin, rooting, zip files, tar files, nandroid, backup ROM, root with app, root via computer, blah, blah, blah, blah....
All I know is that before I do anything I want to backup the stock ROM but before that I'm thrown all kinds of different tools and processes that one could use. For the noob it should be as simple as:
Step 1: backup your stock ROM and to do this download/install this tool then follow these instructions.
Step 2: root your S7 Edge and to do this download/install this tool then follow these instructions.
Step 3: find a custom ROM you want to install and to do this go here, here or here for you model and download it to your PC.
Step 4: flash your custom ROM and to do this down/install this tool and follow these instructions.
Maybe I haven't done a good job of searching so shame on me but I don't feel like given the effort I've expended thus far has yielded a straight and easy answer when it probably should be. I seem to run across a lot of promising reads/threads about this only to find that there seems to be so much more knowledge and experience with the SM-935F and not so much with the SM-935A variant. On top of it, it would seem that I'm told that rooting will or will not break Samsung Pay and other apps/features or that the flag will or will not permanently trip that shows the device has been modified. Very confusing.
When I'm presented with a tar/zip download I'm not sure to where I'm supposed to be downloading. To my PC then used Odin s/w on the PC to install via USB cable to the handset?
Can someone please point me to the simple guide to get this going...or am I gonna have to write it myself? TIA.
BTW, I should note that I'm coming from a S3 on Virgin Mobile to a S7 Edge SM-G935A to be used on Cricket Wireless (AT&T). Since I'll be on Cricket and not directly a AT&T customer per se I'd like to get rid of all the bloatware that AT&T was so kind to load up on the handset. Right now it has Nougat 7.0 installed: samsung/hero2qlteuc/hero2qlteatt:7.0/NRD90M/G935AUCU4BQA6
I am not sure if you have a US version the S7 (Qualcomm G935A) or the S7 non US version. But if you have the US version, we are out of luck. Our bootloader is completely locked and all those steps you pointed out are not available.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
freeop said:
I am not sure if you have a US version the S7 (Qualcomm G935A) or the S7 non US version. But if you have the US version, we are out of luck. Our bootloader is completely locked and all those steps you pointed out are not available.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it seems that with all USA Qualcomm versions regardless of GSM carrier you have confirmed we pretty much cannot do much other than load some other versions of firmware such the U version ROM? From what I read HERE this is the Marshmallow 6.0 o/s. I currently have the stock Nougat 7.0 firmware from AT&T on my S7 Edge. Is there a debloated 7.0 version of the U ROM available?
UPDATE: Never mind...I came across THIS THREAD regarding an unbloated 7.0 U-version. I see you were active in that thread so now I need to read the entire thing before I have more questions and if so I'll ask them there. Thanks!
SyberTiger said:
So it seems that with all USA Qualcomm versions regardless of GSM carrier you have confirmed we pretty much cannot do much other than load some other versions of firmware such the U version ROM? From what I read HERE this is the Marshmallow 6.0 o/s. I currently have the stock Nougat 7.0 firmware from AT&T on my S7 Edge. Is there a debloated 7.0 version of the U ROM available?
UPDATE: Never mind...I came across THIS THREAD regarding an unbloated 7.0 U-version. I see you were active in that thread so now I need to read the entire thing before I have more questions and if so I'll ask them there. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you still want to root your phone, you can follow this link and will let you get rid of all the bloat and root your phone, install xposed and all the mods for xposed. I have used the ENG.IMG version of root for the G935A over 6 months ago and it works great, given the choices we have.
Here's the link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
I know the thread is in the T-Mobile section but if you read the first line, it says it works for T-Mobile, ATT, Sprint, Verizon, etc. It is a very long thread but if you read mostly the later posts from @Craz Basics and you will be able to see that it works really nice.
Good luck
freeop said:
If you still want to root your phone, you can follow this link and will let you get rid of all the bloat and root your phone, install xposed and all the mods for xposed. I have used the ENG.IMG version of root for the G935A over 6 months ago and it works great, given the choices we have.
Here's the link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
I know the thread is in the T-Mobile section but if you read the first line, it says it works for T-Mobile, ATT, Sprint, Verizon, etc. It is a very long thread but if you read mostly the later posts from @Craz Basics and you will be able to see that it works really nice.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks....but I have another question now that I'm given choices.
Which ROM is better, the U 7.0 ROM or the T-Mobile ROM you just linked? And, why is it better than the other?
SyberTiger said:
Hey thanks....but I have another question now that I'm given choices.
Which ROM is better, the U 7.0 ROM or the T-Mobile ROM you just linked? And, why is it better than the other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok the U 7.0 ROM is still un-rooted and bootloader locked. If you go that way, you get the U ROM with-out all the Bloat. But nothing more.
And the link is not really for the T-Mobile phone only. The ENG.IMG is for all makes of the Qualcomm chip. You install that and you are still with ATT. Still have all the things ATT provides like WiFi-Calling and other ATT things. And you can get rid of the Bloatware from the ATT ROM using different apps, like Titanium Backup. With the ENG.IMG you can root your phone and use all the apps that are available for Rooted Phones. One of the best is Titanium Backup. You can only use that one Rooted phones. If you have the U 7.0 ROM, you will have to use the same ENG.IMG to Root the U 7.0 ROM to get that OS rooted. And as I mentioned before you can use Xposed with the rooted phone.
If you are just looking to get rid of Bloatware on the ATT, there is an app for that also. Check out BK Disabler in the playstore. You can get rid of all the bloatware without rooting your phone.
Anyway, hope this make some kind of sense...
freeop said:
Ok the U 7.0 ROM is still un-rooted and bootloader locked. If you go that way, you get the U ROM with-out all the Bloat. But nothing more.
And the link is not really for the T-Mobile phone only. The ENG.IMG is for all makes of the Qualcomm chip. You install that and you are still with ATT. Still have all the things ATT provides like WiFi-Calling and other ATT things. And you can get rid of the Bloatware from the ATT ROM using different apps, like Titanium Backup. With the ENG.IMG you can root your phone and use all the apps that are available for Rooted Phones. One of the best is Titanium Backup. You can only use that one Rooted phones. If you have the U 7.0 ROM, you will have to use the same ENG.IMG to Root the U 7.0 ROM to get that OS rooted. And as I mentioned before you can use Xposed with the rooted phone.
If you are just looking to get rid of Bloatware on the ATT, there is an app for that also. Check out BK Disabler in the playstore. You can get rid of all the bloatware without rooting your phone.
Anyway, hope this make some kind of sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, appreciate it.
I'm really not planning on spending a lot of time making changes or tweaking the handset. I'm on Cricket Wireless therefore I don't see any value in the AT&T bloatware which is why I wanted it removed. My interest is primarily having the latest/greatest android version I can have without all the stuff junking it up. I'd like it to be as fast as is reasonably possibly but at the same time have reasonably good battery life. I'm coming from a Galaxy S3 on Virgin Mobile so the change to the S7E is a huge upgrade. I haven't figured out yet if there are any apps (that require rooting) that are so slick I can't live without them.
I installed the U 7.0 and as I recall I got about 5 or 6 OTA updates which in encouraging. I think the AT&T ROM never received any of the 3 or 4 most current security updates. Anyhow, U 7.0 is up and running with no AT&T bloatware.
SyberTiger said:
Thanks, appreciate it.
I'm really not planning on spending a lot of time making changes or tweaking the handset. I'm on Cricket Wireless therefore I don't see any value in the AT&T bloatware which is why I wanted it removed. My interest is primarily having the latest/greatest android version I can have without all the stuff junking it up. I'd like it to be as fast as is reasonably possibly but at the same time have reasonably good battery life. I'm coming from a Galaxy S3 on Virgin Mobile so the change to the S7E is a huge upgrade. I haven't figured out yet if there are any apps (that require rooting) that are so slick I can't live without them.
I installed the U 7.0 and as I recall I got about 5 or 6 OTA updates which in encouraging. I think the AT&T ROM never received any of the 3 or 4 most current security updates. Anyhow, U 7.0 is up and running with no AT&T bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T's software updater only works if you have an AT&T SIM card. This is why the first thing you should do if you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) device that you don't plan to use on that network is to convert it to the unlocked version. That, and AT&T (in particular) loads the crap out of their devices with bloatware to the point that switching to U feels like an early upgrade to the next generation device.
jshamlet said:
AT&T's software updater only works if you have an AT&T SIM card. This is why the first thing you should do if you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) device that you don't plan to use on that network is to convert it to the unlocked version. That, and AT&T (in particular) loads the crap out of their devices with bloatware to the point that switching to U feels like an early upgrade to the next generation device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I have a Cricket SIM which explains why this unlocked handset is stuck on 7.0 G935AUCU4BQA6 which is the February 1, 2017 update. Interestingly enough, the Network Signal Info app shows the SIM Operator as AT&T and Network Operator as Cricket/AT&T.
Going to the U got rid of all the bloatware and the handset immediately started receiving 5 or 6 OTA updates. I'll probably stick with the U version unless it becomes apparent there's a significantly better ROM available that increases performance, battery life or really adds some whizbangs that make the S7E experience a lot better.
forgive me for butting in -- I have a SM-G935A (stock) on Cricket as well.
Updates to the ROM and while keeping Samsung Pay are important to me.
In the past, I have d/led ATT updates and installed them using Odin, but that wipes my phone's apps/settings each time. Recently, I purchased an ATT sim & put the minimum $$$ on it with the intention of popping it in for OTA's. I've received BQK2, Nov 1 2017. It's a crappy work around, but the easiest I know of without having to rebuild my phone each Odin'ed update.
Would installing U or TMO firmware on the 935A remove the ability to use Samsung Pay? Would either of them be updated for frequently/easier than the 935A?
The U firmware supports Samsung pay and gets updates directly. The only downsides are no carrier features like wifi calling, etc., and if gets updates later than the carrier versions. I have run it on AT&T since I got the phone and it has worked fine.
jshamlet said:
The U firmware supports Samsung pay and gets updates directly. The only downsides are no carrier features like wifi calling, etc., and if gets updates later than the carrier versions. I have run it on AT&T since I got the phone and it has worked fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, jshamlet.
This is my first phone I haven't rooted & I feel a bit powerless without Xposed and Titanium Backup. I find myself using Samsung Pay so often, that I don't want to lose it & was concerned that installing the U (or TMO) firmware on the ATT version would trip Knox, too.
William Thornton said:
forgive me for butting in -- I have a SM-G935A (stock) on Cricket as well.
Updates to the ROM and while keeping Samsung Pay are important to me.
In the past, I have d/led ATT updates and installed them using Odin, but that wipes my phone's apps/settings each time. Recently, I purchased an ATT sim & put the minimum $$$ on it with the intention of popping it in for OTA's. I've received BQK2, Nov 1 2017. It's a crappy work around, but the easiest I know of without having to rebuild my phone each Odin'ed update.
Would installing U or TMO firmware on the 935A remove the ability to use Samsung Pay? Would either of them be updated for frequently/easier than the 935A?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
SyberTiger said:
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never gotten it working 100%.
William Thornton said:
I've never gotten it working 100%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be talking about the PC version not the phone-to-phone setup. Back up to PC then from PC to your phone. Worked great for me.
SyberTiger said:
Hmm, doesn't Samsung Smart Switch back up everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, no. No it doesn't. Helium (or if you are feeling oldster, ADB) does a vastly better job of backing up apps than Smart Switch. Smart Switch does a reasonably good job of putting your phone's settings back, but it doesn't appear to back up most app data.
I learned this the hard way.
---------- Post added at 01:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 AM ----------
William Thornton said:
Thanks, jshamlet.
This is my first phone I haven't rooted & I feel a bit powerless without Xposed and Titanium Backup. I find myself using Samsung Pay so often, that I don't want to lose it & was concerned that installing the U (or TMO) firmware on the ATT version would trip Knox, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Pay, with the MST technology, is one of those weirdly underrated features that continually amaze people. It works nearly anywhere you can physically see the mag stripe reader, which instantly makes it vastly more useful than either Apple Pay or Android Pay. I have had more than a few people say "We don't take Apple Pay", and then drop their jaw when the transaction goes through.
The fact that Samsung doesn't make a bigger deal about it is strange, because it really is one of those technologies that sets them apart from the other two.

Stable Root for SM-G935P?

HI. I have a question regarding my s7 edge on sprint (SM-G935P) and to whether or not anyone has found a stable rooting method for it. Im somewhat experienced in this kind of topic as i have rooted my phone multiple times and have found success but all methods resulted in a very laggy phone. So im not new to this but could use a little more knowledge. From what i know, the root methods used to root the snapdragon models of the s7 and s7 edge are using ENG Boot and in result, that's why devices are not as stable as they are on stock firmware. Because of locked bootloaders and from my understanding, there is no way to root without a laggy phone. Unless you were to unlock your phone, there's no way of rooting without lag? Also, from what i gathered up is that you can convert a SM-G935P model phone to a SM-G935U. G935U is the unlocked firmware? If so, if i try to root will i keep the sprint service? I may sound silly right now but im posting this to better understand if any one of you have found a rooting method which eliminates all lag or as much lag as possible. If there's is nothing i will probably be better off sticking to my stock s7 edge like i have been for awhile now. I have found this though and im curious to know if this has anything to do with my post?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/how-to/successful-root-g935u-g935uueu4bqd2-t3598647
izzy6 said:
HI. I have a question regarding my s7 edge on sprint (SM-G935P) and to whether or not anyone has found a stable rooting method for it. Im somewhat experienced in this kind of topic as i have rooted my phone multiple times and have found success but all methods resulted in a very laggy phone. So im not new to this but could use a little more knowledge. From what i know, the root methods used to root the snapdragon models of the s7 and s7 edge are using ENG Boot and in result, that's why devices are not as stable as they are on stock firmware. Because of locked bootloaders and from my understanding, there is no way to root without a laggy phone. Unless you were to unlock your phone, there's no way of rooting without lag? Also, from what i gathered up is that you can convert a SM-G935P model phone to a SM-G935U. G935U is the unlocked firmware? If so, if i try to root will i keep the sprint service? I may sound silly right now but im posting this to better understand if any one of you have found a rooting method which eliminates all lag or as much lag as possible. If there's is nothing i will probably be better off sticking to my stock s7 edge like i have been for awhile now. I have found this though and im curious to know if this has anything to do with my post?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/how-to/successful-root-g935u-g935uueu4bqd2-t3598647
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on what version you are using at this time. That U root only works if your sprint phone has a binary version of 4, sprint updated the binary in December. That makes all sprint S7E phones that received that December update unable to root as they were updated to binary 5. To find out what what binary version you have, go to setting and about phone. Look for the updated version (it should start with G935P), The 5th to the last number will have either a 4 or 5 on it. If it has a 4, you can root it, if it has a 5, you cannot root it. The U root will work on all American phones as it is programed for GSM and CDMA phones. You may lose all those "awesome" sprint apps when you use the U root flash.
I am very curious on this issue also. I just moved from Colorado to Wyoming and Sprint does not offer unlimited data roaming, so I want to unlock and maybe transfer services to another company, AT&T and Verizon are the two that seem to provide direct service here. But the rooting issue would be a possible huge advantage, maybe....
Sm-g35p, smg935pvpu6RB2
Hi there any to root this phone with magisk?
mikeb143777 said:
Ok, ive scoured the internet and got conflicting results. However, Im not a pro, and it appears you have the low down on the current root status. So here is my question for anybody that can help. I have the Sprint S7 edge (SM-G935P), and Im pretty sure Im on the number 5 bianary, so it appears that Im stuck. But please clarify, does this mean that there is no way to root my phone period? What if I dont go to the "U" firmware? Or better yet, isnt it possible to rollback to a different firmware, to marshmallow or something, and then go from there? I heard you can roll back if you have a "pit" file or something? Can anybody offer me any way to get rooted? Im sure I can follow the instructions if I can find any, Ive rooted plenty, but so far I havent found any options. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I didn't get back sooner, I don't go to the sprint part of the forums as much anymore.
At the time, the U Firmware was the only way you could get root. The root method has changed but it still requires the same or lower binary version than the rooted rom. If you are binary 5 and the other ones are 4 you will not be able to root. From what I've seen so far, verizon and the U firmware is still binary 4. What makes this worse, is once you are on a higher binary version, you can no longer downgrade (I've tried during bricking). I have tried a pit file with a non sprint phone and could not get the phone to downgrade either.
Right now you can either wait and see if they upgrade to binary 5 and root then, or you can get an unlocked verizon s7 edge and get root. Both are not the greatest of options
It gets worse... Getting root on a newer phone is not like the older days. I am rooted and all I can use is an altered stock rom. Because the bootloader is locked you cannot use custom recovery and roms like lineage and crDroid. So even if you get root, depending on what you want to do, you will still be limited.
5th number from the right on mine is a 6.
Pyr0TeK said:
5th number from the right on mine is a 6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. I'm fed up with not having root. I not having a easy tether for wireless (BT is too limited) I has cost me on several occasions. I am actively looking for a new phone.
This entire phone is a step backward coming from the Note 4. I lost battery changing on the fly, reliable root / roms, and hotspot, and etc.
Sprint logo change
Hi
I have sm-g935p , s7 edge sprint
I want to remove sprint logo
How to do it
Mine shows up in stock recovery as g935PVPS5BQK1 . anyone know exactly which custom recovery and root method for this is? If I'm in right area then that's fine for me I'll continue as is but just wanted to make absolutely sure before I carry on.
Sprint
I removed the logo but I had to unlock the cell phone

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

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

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