Database Users

How I fixed a generic IMEI without any /efs backup on my I-9500

Hello all,
I would like to share a method that solved this tricky issue with my S4 GT-I9500. While flashing with some new ROMs, I ended up with a generic IMEI on my S4. I read everything I could find here in XDA foruns, and no method worked for me. This one below, from fellow colleage douglasgalves at brasildroid foruns saved my phone. Here the link to the original post (portuguese only, sorry)
http://brasildroid.com.br/discussoe...efs-resolver-esse-problema-11.html#post299796
The method is quite simple, and althogh it does not make complete sense (why Trinida Tobago for example) it worked for me! Here it is.
1. You have a I9500 with a generic IMEI.
2. Install a official stock ROM with ODIN. Not any Stock ROM, but specifically Trinida & Tobago April 2013 ROM. You can browse it on Sammobile, or also get it from this link on XDA -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2257645
The ROM I used is:
Build Date: 24.04.2013
Region: TTT (Trinidad and Tobago)
PDA: I9500UBUAMDK
Changelist: 534999 Android: 4.2
3. Once installation is finished, disconnect the cable;
4. Reboot to recovery and wipe data and cache;
5. Install KIES on your PC and let it update to its latest version.
6. Once KIES is updated, connect your S4 to the PC, no need for USB Debug, etc, just connect it.
7. KIES will detect it and say a new version of firmware is available. Perform the update. It takes a long time.
8. Once the update is finished, you get a dialog in KIES asking you to disconnect and connect the cable again, with a confirm button "Confirm". This is the moment it fixes your IMEI. One more reboot and voilà, your IMEI should be back.
I have no idea how/why this worked, if someone more experienced can explain, I would like to understand.
Also, no idea if this would work on other models, with a different ROM, or on a Mac instead of a PC, or with steps on different order. All I know is that, by doing exactly this, I gave life back to my beloved S4.
Now, off to make some 5 backups of the /efs folder before flashing ROMs again.
Good luck there with your generic-IMEIed S4s!

Did some more tweaking to try to understand what happened. Hope some guru can jump in and help me.
1. After I recovered my IMEI, I installed Philz Touch 5.11.2. It went well, I rebooted in CWM recovery, then chose Reboot->Root. It rebooted the phone. Then I went to make a backup of the /efs folder with Root Explorer, and discovered that despite it looking as rooting went well, the phone was not rooted.
Question 1: Why does Philz did not get to root the device? At that stage the firmware version was MG9 for region TTT (Trinidad & Tobago). Is that firmware somehow imcompatible for Philz to root?
Then ...
2. I flashed Firmware for Colombia with ODIN (my phone was bought in Colombia) from April, version UBUAMDE. Got Generic IMEI again. Then followed the same procedure from post 1, and got my IMEI back with KIES. The strange thing is that on KIES, my phone still shows as TTT (Trinidad) after that.
Question 2: It looks like more than the ROMs, it is the last step on KIES that recovers the IMEI. Is it so tha ODIN may be screwing up the IMEI?
Question 3: why I keep with my phone showing as TTT? Is that a problem?
3. Then I flashed the ChainFire recovery. Strangely, this went well and rooted my phone, so it may be something with Philz. I again flashed Philz and it installed well.
Question 4: may I get any problems by using Philz but having rooted with Chainfire?
Thanks a lot for any clarification you gurus out there can give me!

Thanks
You've given a considerable amount of hope to those that are stuck on the genereic imei. Thank you for providing this solution.
However, I am stuck:
After using ODIN 3.07; clicking nothing other than PDA for selecting the firmware you said to download: Hotfile:GT-I9500-TTT-I9500UBUAMDK-1366814146.zip The firmware was successfully installed.
Then before the boot completed, I went into recovery and wiped data and cache. The phone restarted and it booted up, Kies was already updated to the latest version. So once the phone booted up, I connected the phone to the computer and kies displayed this message:
Your device's current firmware version is not supported to update firmware via Kies.
Current firmware version: PDA:MDK / PHONE:MDK / CSC:MDK (XXX)
How can I go about resolving this issue?

As I said in the second post, I also got successful using the ROM for Colombia from April.
I would sugesst you to go to sammobile's firmware database. Download any older ROM which supports firmware via KIES (there is an icon showing that over there) and do the same procedure. It looks like what really solves it is the final step in KIES.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I think this is due to flashing Previous Version of Modem (Its Including in Stock Firmware). When You flash Previous Version of Modem, Somehow IMEI retains. Here are some facts:
1) When we try to Flash any MOD of any dev then its depend on which Modem (i.e country's Firmware) the dev is using.
2) After flashing the MOD, Our IMEI becomes Fake.
3) Flashing Previous Version of Modem take back the IMEI.
In your above method you did the same. You flashed the Whole stock firmware but too old by date. After flashing, it retains.
BTW, have you checked your IMEI after flashing the Firmware using ODIN.? It was there.? was it Generic.?

Notice that I never refer to mod ROMs. I got a fake IMEI by flashing stock ROMs with ODIN.
Even during the recovery process, when I flashed the old stock ROM, the IMEI is not back. It only gets back at the last step with KIES.
When checking the IMEI after flashing with ODIN I get always the generic 499 IMEI.
Looks to me like something not going well with ODIN and 9500.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

partimers said:
Notice that I never refer to mod ROMs. I got a fake IMEI by flashing stock ROMs with ODIN.
Even during the recovery process, when I flashed the old stock ROM, the IMEI is not back. It only gets back at the last step with KIES.
When checking the IMEI after flashing with ODIN I get always the generic 499 IMEI.
Looks to me like something not going well with ODIN and 9500.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing ROM from ODIN given you Fake IMEI.? This is something strange. We all flashed from ODIN & never got that. BTW, If its like that, I would recommend above ^ ^ your steps but wait...... Did you flashed any other country's firmware.?

Disturbed™ said:
Flashing ROM from ODIN given you Fake IMEI.? This is something strange. We all flashed from ODIN & never got that. BTW, If its like that, I would recommend above ^ ^ your steps but wait...... Did you flashed any other country's firmware.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is indeed strange Disturbed, but I can reproduce it. I flash for example, April ROMs (happened with all countries that I tested, Trinidad, Colombia and Brazil), the IMEI gets generic. It is not that the /efs folder is deleted. It is there, it is just that somehow, the IMEI does not get correctly read from the files that are there.
It only gets fixed after KIES updates the ROM for the latest one, and only at the very last stage where KIES ask to disconnect/reconnect the cable.
I first get into trouble when after flashing CWM Philz, I tried to restore stock ROM.
I live in Brazil, but travel very often on business to Colombia, and bought the phone on a good sale. That is why I am trying different countries, but the problem first happened when re-installing Stock ROM for the first time, and at that time I was just using the ROM for Colombia.
Only when things got bad (generic IMEI) I tried other countries ROMs, modems, etc, and finally got to this method that fixed it for me.

[/QUOTE]
Hi have you taken a backup of the EFS and saved?
U are a lucky guy u hv it all this working
As per what i know possibly there will be 1 more folder in the system root other then efs main which has imei details etc which must be corrupted and takes place while flashing so u have fake imei
Also check do u have any lockscreen issue???
I m telling this coz I was mad solving imei issue for 2 days with note 2 just a week ago
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

exclaimed said:
I connected the phone to the computer and kies displayed this message:
Your device's current firmware version is not supported to update firmware via Kies.
Current firmware version: PDA:MDK / PHONE:MDK / CSC:MDK (XXX)
How can I go about resolving this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*FIX*
I had the same problem, so I did the following to fix the problem:
Root the device,
Install CSC Changer,
Select the CSC which matches the firmware you are trying to update,
Then start the guide above again from the beginning (including reinstalling the firmware through Odin, even if you are currently using it - to remove the root...)
and now Kies is updating my device!
*UPDATE*
IMEI is not fixed...

Thank you for your suggestion.
I've tired CSC Changer, but to no avail. After changing my CSC to TTT, the phone is restarted, and I put it in download mode; follow all the steps above, but I still see XXX on KIES.
I even tried changing my CSC by opening Preconfig via android terminal emulator, but I still see XXX on KIES.

exclaimed said:
Thank you for your suggestion.
I've tired CSC Changer, but to no avail. After changing my CSC to TTT, the phone is restarted, and I put it in download mode; follow all the steps above, but I still see XXX on KIES.
I even tried changing my CSC by opening Preconfig via android terminal emulator, but I still see XXX on KIES.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please note that KIES does not require Download mode, just connect the phone to the PC running KIES. Maybe it is that, I don`t know.

Hi have you taken a backup of the EFS and saved?
U are a lucky guy u hv it all this working
As per what i know possibly there will be 1 more folder in the system root other then efs main which has imei details etc which must be corrupted and takes place while flashing so u have fake imei
Also check do u have any lockscreen issue???
I m telling this coz I was mad solving imei issue for 2 days with note 2 just a week ago
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app[/QUOTE]
Hey 123hiten, I had no lockscreen issues, only Generic IMEI. Solve it with KIES.

So now I have tried this solution in many different ways,
even though kies does update the FW, it doesn't restore the IMEI,
So on several occasions after updating and not see'ing the IMEI being restored
I put the old Columbian FW back on and restarted the process following every last detail exactly as stated but to no avail....
So I can only conclude that this solution must not work for the I9500 (Exynos S4)....

SmilerOnline said:
So now I have tried this solution in many different ways,
even though kies does update the FW, it doesn't restore the IMEI,
So on several occasions after updating and not see'ing the IMEI being restored
I put the old Columbian FW back on and restarted the process following every last detail exactly as stated but to no avail....
So I can only conclude that this solution must not work for the I9500 (Exynos S4)....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is really frustrating when a solution works in some cases and not on others. Sorry to hear it did not fix it for you. But for my I-9500 it fixed it perfectly. I do not know why :/
One thing I may remark: the IMEI only came back on the very last stage, when after finishing the upgrade to latest firmware in KIES, I rebooted the phone, disconnect the cable, connected it again and pressed "Confirm" on KIES. At that exact point it fixed it. I did not have to do anything with CSC.

partimers said:
It is really frustrating when a solution works in some cases and not on others. Sorry to hear it did not fix it for you. But for my I-9500 it fixed it perfectly. I do not know why :/
One thing I may remark: the IMEI only came back on the very last stage, when after finishing the upgrade to latest firmware in KIES, I rebooted the phone, disconnect the cable, connected it again and pressed "Confirm" on KIES. At that exact point it fixed it. I did not have to do anything with CSC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did exactly as you said but the Kies button said "OK" not "Confirm"...
and the only reason the CSC change was required for me was to allow my device to be updated by kies (if your device was from Columbia & you updated it with that fw that may be why you didn't need to change the csc... as the csc was already the Columbia csc)

Device is from Colombia but somehow it let me update via KIES using the TTT rom
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

partimers said:
Device is from Colombia but somehow it let me update via KIES using the TTT rom
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@partimer, I am curious, what app or program did you use to backup your IMEI after restoring it to its original form or did you just copy the efs folder.
Thanks.

Copy the efs folder using root Explorer to the Sd card. From there I created a tarball and backed it up to my file server and cloud.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

From my time on the S2 I had efs problems too. It was established that the IMEI number is individual to each device and is not included on any firmware be it stock or custom. Several roms now automatically create backups when being flashed so it's worth exploring your system to find any backups.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

All I want is a reliable stock ROM :(

Hi all,
very new here and to flashing ROMs etc.
Anyway, bought a 2nd hand Note 3 a couple months ago. It had a custom ROM on it and I was experiencing issues with it.
I've since (after Google taught me), managed to get a close to stock ROM on it. But sadly Im still having problems, mainly WiFi and Bluetooth not working.
Can anyone please recommend a reliable, stock or close to stock ROM?
I dont need anything fancy...I just want to be able to use standard features (mainly WiFi).
Thanks all

I've been using the music of life note5 port 5.1.1 touchwiz rom for months and that's been fine for the most part. darkera13 released a s7 6.0.1 port like 2 days ago on the samsungvn forum, it's buggy but usable, but it's second version are sure to fix the little bugs it has (battery life is bad, can't access sd in pc, other bugs that don't affect me). There is one 6.0.1 s5 port here but I haven't tried it. If you really wanna try the latest touchwiz 6.0.1 rom, wait a few days/week or so for a more stable version, otherwise I'd try one of the 5.1.1 note5 ports in here.

Flash a stock rom from sammobile or samsung-updates via Odin .

Thanks
JJEgan said:
Flash a stock rom from sammobile or samsung-updates via Odin .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have tried installing a stock ROM from Samsung Updates but still no Wifi or Bluetooth. Starting to wonder if its a hardware problem. WiFi etc does work sometimes, but then goes off for days at a time.
Really frustrating.

jasongroves said:
Have tried installing a stock ROM from Samsung Updates but still no Wifi or Bluetooth. Starting to wonder if its a hardware problem. WiFi etc does work sometimes, but then goes off for days at a time.
Really frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be anything. Even hw fault... Could you be more specific about:
What custom rom you had?
Is there any chance you had deleted something from efs folder?
Can you activate wifi and doesn`t find networks or the toggle is grayed and can`t do anything?
For bluetooth, can you activate it and doesn`t find devices or the toggle is grayed and can`t do anything?
Try this from sammobile.

Thanks, Im downloading now and will test it out.
Im not 100% sure what ROM it was as I didnt install it.
I do remember something about CM12 ?
Cant activate Wifi or bluetooth at all. It will try and turn on for either but fail and then grey out temporarily.
Ive only installed a custom ROM and havent done anything with an efs folder.

Could you please check if yout imei is there:
In stock rom it is in about device -> Status
Do not post the numbers here just look if the numbers are there

V_B said:
Could you please check if yout imei is there:
In stock rom it is in about device -> Status
Do not post the numbers here just look if the numbers are there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes IMEI is definitely there.

jasongroves said:
Yes IMEI is definitely there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And all other too ?
Like serial number or so
Anyways I recommend you the following:
Download official kit kat firmware xxugng1 and latest lollipop firmware for your country
Do a factory reset
Flash kit kat with odin
Do again a factory reset (just to go sure)
Reboot and do the setup
Root it with cf auto-root
(If phone takes too long to boot remove Battery and start you phone)
When phone is booted Download triangle away
Launch it and reset status and counter
Than it will ask you to reboot or boot in download mode
Choose boot in download mode
Flash latest available lollipop for your country
Factory reset
And than you should not have any problems
(Do backup before it will wipe everything in your phone)

V_B said:
And all other too ?
Like serial number or so
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Serial number is there.
Device status says official.
Bluetooth address is unavailable.
IP address is unavailable.
Phone number is unknown.

jasongroves said:
Serial number is there.
Device status says official.
Bluetooth address is unavailable.
IP address is unavailable.
Phone number is unknown.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I edited my post do the steps and report again.
When after this the problems apare than my friend its hardware prblem 90% sure

Check correct IMEI.
Check correct modem s.
Check CSC.
Try another kernel
Could well be that you have the wrong IMEI .
I would be restoring my backed up EFS folder first .
Sent from my SM-N920C using XDA-Developers mobile app

jasongroves said:
Hi all,
very new here and to flashing ROMs etc.
Anyway, bought a 2nd hand Note 3 a couple months ago. It had a custom ROM on it and I was experiencing issues with it.
I've since (after Google taught me), managed to get a close to stock ROM on it. But sadly Im still having problems, mainly WiFi and Bluetooth not working.
Can anyone please recommend a reliable, stock or close to stock ROM?
I dont need anything fancy...I just want to be able to use standard features (mainly WiFi).
Thanks all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you had a TWRP backup of your previous rom, you wouldn't have been in this predicament.
Try updating baseband version.
Your safest bet is to download Samsung firmwares from 4.2 - 4.4 and 5 & flash it via odin in consecutive order and check if your hardware works.
Or else it might be a faulty HW issue.

A twrp backup would not necessarily fix the issue if it was a hardware problem and it sounds like it is a hardware problem if flashing the latest stock rom does not resolve the issue.

vishnu vijay said:
If you had a TWRP backup of your previous rom, you wouldn't have been in this predicament.
Try updating baseband version.
Your safest bet is to download Samsung firmwares from 4.2 - 4.4 and 5 & flash it via odin in consecutive order and check if your hardware works.
Or else it might be a faulty HW issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never made a back up as the phone came with a custom ROM that started playing up within days of getting the phone.
Am trying to find the earlier firmware versions to download now.
Thanks.

audit13 said:
A twrp backup would not necessarily fix the issue if it was a hardware problem and it sounds like it is a hardware problem if flashing the latest stock rom does not resolve the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im really hoping its not a hardware issue as according to 2 local phone repairers its not worth fixing

JJEgan said:
Check correct IMEI.
Check correct modem s.
Check CSC.
Try another kernel
Could well be that you have the wrong IMEI .
I would be restoring my backed up EFS folder first .
Sent from my SM-N920C using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMEI matches my phone, as does serial etc.
Whats the CSC please?
Current kernel is listed as 3.4.0-4540543.
I dont have a backed up EFS folder unfortunately.

V_B said:
And all other too ?
Like serial number or so
Anyways I recommend you the following:
Download official kit kat firmware xxugng1 and latest lollipop firmware for your country
Do a factory reset
Flash kit kat with odin
Do again a factory reset (just to go sure)
Reboot and do the setup
Root it with cf auto-root
(If phone takes too long to boot remove Battery and start you phone)
When phone is booted Download triangle away
Launch it and reset status and counter
Than it will ask you to reboot or boot in download mode
Choose boot in download mode
Flash latest available lollipop for your country
Factory reset
And than you should not have any problems
(Do backup before it will wipe everything in your phone)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, serial etc all match.
Just looking at the baseband and the build numbers. Should they match? As mine dont.
Baseband : N9005XXUGBOJ1
Build: LRX21V.N9005XXUGBOK6

jasongroves said:
Yes, serial etc all match.
Just looking at the baseband and the build numbers. Should they match? As mine dont.
Baseband : N9005XXUGBOJ1
Build: LRX21V.N9005XXUGBOK6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they should not match .
Modems/ baseband are often a different build .

Did wifi ever work properly? If not, it may not be worth fixing.
The easiest solution may be to find another phone that has a smashed screen nd swap motherboards.

[SM-G955N] Samsung Galaxy S8+ Korean 128GB + 6GB Support Thread

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So I was just a bit confused with the sheer amount of small threads that try to answer questions regarding the Korean variant of our beloved device with consistent questions and answers floating around, so this guide aims to consolidate those threads as it seems like we need a unified thread for this variant.
System Specs provided by @murtaza02
Model Number: SM-G955N
Country of Production: South Korea
Carriers: LG U+, SK Telecom, KT
2G: 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
3G (UMTS/HSPA): 850, 1900, 2100 MHz
4G (LTE): B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B17, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28, B38, B39, B40, B41, B46
SoC: Samsung Exynos 9 Octa (8895)
RAM/Internal: 4GB / 64GB or 6GB / 128GB

Flashing a ROM​
Yes, you can actually flash any ROM on your device! ROM developers should be informed to use the model number from TWRP to determine what device you are running, to distinguish between the S8 and the S8+.
Our device reports back "dream2lte" in TWRP but the actual model number of our device is "dream2lteks" with a model number of SM-G955N.
Do not flash a ROM that edited the build.prop for the SM-G955N without full system prop modifications implemented, or else Magisk Hide would NOT work.
The steps are simple to flash a custom SM-G955N ROM but must be followed to the T:
1. You've got to trip KNOX, which will void the warranty! But we imported our phones, so who we kidding? You've got no warranty anyways!
2. Once you spent a few heartfelt minutes thinking about the pros and cons, you will have to flash @jesec's TWRP on your device following ALL instructions of his guide, including flashing the decrypt ZIP. https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...pment/recovery-twrp-galaxy-s8-exynos-t3595102
3. Pick your ROM, if the ROM requests you to flash BL and CP, you CANNOT flash the G955F versions, as we have a completely different bootloader!!! If they have the G955N variants, then feel free to update it if you want, as this step is NOT mandatory. It IS safe to flash a 955F kernel on your 955N!
4. Place the ROM zip into your MicroSD and the CSC Flasher, but do NOT use TWRP to transfer these files. MTP will stop working Midway (all variants of the S8+, roughly at 1.5gb) so I suggest doing it before going to recovery, or if it's too late, just use a microSD adapter and add it in there. Recommended drive format: exFAT.
5. Flash the ROM as you would from TWRP, depending on your ROM, it may have a debloat Aroma menu. If there's a way to update the BL and CP inside the Aroma menu, DO NOT. Some ROMs ask if you would like to flash a CSC (that you're not interested in), so pick DBT (Germany) unbranded.
6. After flashing the ROM, depending on your ROM, you may need to reboot back into recovery using Reboot -> Recovery to avoid the Device or Resource is Busy error in TWRP...to flash the CSC package.
7. It is highly recommended to use unbranded CSCs but it is not 100%. If you are in Canada like me, the CSC package for Rogers Wireless (RWC) under XAC causes a ton of keyboard force closes and random reboots. While the XAC unbranded default CSC runs better but still has keyboard force closes. There may be an error with mounting and unmounting /preload, a non existent partition on our variant...which is perfectly okay!
8. Ensure that you remember the above steps when you're dirty flashing a ROM update, because if you forget to flash the same CSC from the previous flash, you will lose CSC benefits like VoLTE, LTE-A and wifi calling until you factory reset!
9. If you're looking for root, you MUST reflash Magisk v12+, or else you won't get any MagiskSU green flags. Seems to be happening mostly on our Korean variant.
10. You're done!

Frequently Asked Questions (Buyer's Questions)​
Q: I'm planning to buy this phone but not planning to root it, what kind of bloat are there.?
Custom SK Telecom Bootanimation with sound
One full folder of Korean applications from the carrier, including Samsung bloat that are all Korean-region bounded.
An out of place second carrier label in the lock screen (bottom left)
Settings has two extra options, T roaming and T security. You can get rid of the T security shortcut in Settings by disabling the T membership app using Package Disabler Pro (Samsung) on Play Store. T roaming cannot be removed. Depending on your device's original carrier, you may get the KT service provider entry.
Camera can't disable shutter noise. Korean law.
Bootloader is Korean. Unchangeable.
Q: Are there any carrier markings on the device?
Yes, but really unnoticeable. There are no FCC markings at the back of the phone but just a line of text, and at the end of that line of text just says SKT. It is as natural as a phone that tells you where it was manufactured.
Q: Can I Odin a stock SM-G955F firmware or CSC file?
No, you can't flash anything SM-G955F in any slot of Odin. Doing so will just fail or secure flash error.
Q: Can I use a CSC from a company that sells S8+'s with Qualcomm on my Exynos device?
Yes, but it may need some testing. In Canada, if you have the proper CSC, I confirmed to get VoLTE and Wifi Calling after flashing the RWC CSC. But the XAC CSC may not enable Wifi Calling but will enable VoLTE. LTE-A is almost supported on all CSCs, so you don't have to worry about that.
Q: If I flash an SM-G955F ROM on my device, will it affect my RAM or storage?
No. You will retain 128GB and 6GB RAM on any ROM.
Q: Can I disable bloat apps without rooting?
Yes, but you may have to use a paid app, linked here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro&hl=en
Search for "SKT" and it is safe to disable them all. Disabling T membership as stated above will disable the Settings shortcut to it to, but T roaming will not disappear.

YouTube Videos (Miscellanous)​
He says "Chinese" but he later rectified it in the comments.

Reserved 4 ?

Thanks for the amazing guide. All working. Btw I saw that latest batstock rom is version 1 not 1.1?
My device now shows that its 955f is that OK? I installed the ilo israel csc so how can I update the rom with that csc without loosing data? Thanks!

There was a system update today. Anyone know the changes?
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

BTW I did not reflash magisk, just downloaded magisk manager from play store and install from there.

bidav1 said:
Thanks for the amazing guide. All working. Btw I saw that latest batstock rom is version 1 not 1.1?
My device now shows that its 955f is that OK? I installed the ilo israel csc so how can I update the rom with that csc without loosing data? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'm in the testers chat on the Telegram link but the model number is just a build.prop check.
As long as you update the ROM with the CSC before booting up, you won't lose any data.
bidav1 said:
BTW I did not reflash magisk, just downloaded magisk manager from play store and install from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you able to obtain root? Depending on your set up, you may not have any root like what happened to me, so I had to reflash. Also I tried a no root option from BatStock and if it doesn't patch your boot image, then you'd be stuck on the Samsung logo indefinitely.

forsberg78 said:
There was a system update today. Anyone know the changes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know the system update's binary letters? Or just post a screenshot.

nicholaschum said:
Yeah I'm in the testers chat on the Telegram link but the model number is just a build.prop check.
As long as you update the ROM with the CSC before booting up, you won't lose any data.
Were you able to obtain root? Depending on your set up, you may not have any root like what happened to me, so I had to reflash. Also I tried a no root option from BatStock and if it doesn't patch your boot image, then you'd be stuck on the Samsung logo indefinitely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to fully obtain rom. what I did is after the phone booted up (after the rom installation), I downloaded magisk manager from app store, then clicked on install inside the manager. when the phone booted up afterwards i was fully rooted. also checked with root info and various root apps.
just one thing is not clear to me. now i'm on batstock 1.0 with stock kernel and untouched bl and modem. and with ILO csc from the csc tool.
now when i want to upgrade to batstock 1.1, say a dirty flash to keep data. what are the steps?
1. copy the zip file of the rom and the zip file of the csc tool to sd
2. reboot to twrp, install the rom file dirty flash and not to reboot
3. before reboot, install the csc zip file in twrp
4. reboot
did i get that alright?
thank you !

bidav1 said:
I was able to fully obtain rom. what I did is after the phone booted up (after the rom installation), I downloaded magisk manager from app store, then clicked on install inside the manager. when the phone booted up afterwards i was fully rooted. also checked with root info and various root apps.
just one thing is not clear to me. now i'm on batstock 1.0 with stock kernel and untouched bl and modem. and with ILO csc from the csc tool.
now when i want to upgrade to batstock 1.1, say a dirty flash to keep data. what are the steps?
1. copy the zip file of the rom and the zip file of the csc tool to sd
2. reboot to twrp, install the rom file dirty flash and not to reboot
3. before reboot, install the csc zip file in twrp
4. reboot
did i get that alright?
thank you !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's correct, because a dirty flash is going to wipe the CSC, since the CSC is located in the /system folder, the ROM upgrade will wipe system and you lose your CSC, but the preferences are stored in /data, so your procedure is correct. If you get any resource is busy errors in aroma, reboot recovery before flashing the CSC

thanks ! any news about the update that rolled out today for unrooted devices?

Thanks for the thread mate.. I was also thinking of making this up...
I have Korean model s8 + kt 64gb.. I am on CarHD 1.3.. Everything is working perfectly.. Before i tried flashing renovate rom 2 bit every time i was struck at samsung logo.. I tried flashing everything like magshik .. Ok thats not the question...I study in china and brought Korean KT version online
I yesterday broke the screen of my phone..now can anyone suggest me what should i do. Can i go to service center and ask them to repair the phone... I just want that i get replaced the screen and get my water resistant back..
My one friend called Samsung care here in china to enquire about the screen replacement and they said that if touch is working then it will cost me around 120 us doller and if touch is not working then cost me 250 us doller....
Can anybody can give me some ideas or suggestions please? Thanks in advance

nicholaschum said:
Do you know the system update's binary letters? Or just post a screenshot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the version now
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
This is the version now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bluetooth connectivity fixes and some stability features

Just be sure to look at the last 4 characters to see what the new version code is, in this case, AQEB.

DireWolf619 said:
Thanks for the thread mate.. I was also thinking of making this up...
I have Korean model s8 + kt 64gb.. I am on CarHD 1.3.. Everything is working perfectly.. Before i tried flashing renovate rom 2 bit every time i was struck at samsung logo.. I tried flashing everything like magshik .. Ok thats not the question...I study in china and brought Korean KT version online
I yesterday broke the screen of my phone..now can anyone suggest me what should i do. Can i go to service center and ask them to repair the phone... I just want that i get replaced the screen and get my water resistant back..
My one friend called Samsung care here in china to enquire about the screen replacement and they said that if touch is working then it will cost me around 120 us doller and if touch is not working then cost me 250 us doller....
Can anybody can give me some ideas or suggestions please? Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason it got stuck on the Samsung logo was because, as I listed in my main threads, they used the wrong way of detecting model, so it was not installing a kernel for your device and you were booting with no kernel.
Unfortunately, that's what happens if you import a device. But I'm not so sure if Samsung China would be able to help you since your device is not from China. Maybe if you go to a small shop, you could inquire prices there, or watch a video and buy a new screen for yourself maybe.

nicholaschum said:
The reason it got stuck on the Samsung logo was because, as I listed in my main threads, they used the wrong way of detecting model, so it was not installing a kernel for your device and you were booting with no kernel.
Unfortunately, that's what happens if you import a device. But I'm not so sure if Samsung China would be able to help you since your device is not from China. Maybe if you go to a small shop, you could inquire prices there, or watch a video and buy a new screen for yourself maybe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i will go to service center tomorrow...i am afraid to go to small shop because i think they won't be able to provide water resistant after opening the phone...

DireWolf619 said:
Yeah i will go to service center tomorrow...i am afraid to go to small shop because i think they won't be able to provide water resistant after opening the phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know with my experience of small shops in Hong Kong, they have kits to apply back on the device for waterproofing.

Note 4 N910C Emergency Call only (Not Registered to Network) IMEICERT:PASS (IMEI Ok )

Greetings Folks
I have a N910C and as mentioned in title recently I got stuck in to this issue
How it happened
I had CF-Rooted my phone and Odin flashed TWRP for custom ROMS so I tried a few and was not getting the perfomance thought SimplROM would do it for me in order to install that ROM it said in instructions to install latest Modem and Bootloader
So i tried downloading the ones given in v6C BL was downloaded but CP kept on giving me errors getting stuck at 7% on mega so being stupid I downloaded DPCB(MODEM) While ROM was offering DPK4
So everything went fine until after boot I realized am facing Not Registered to Network
Since I had experienced this before on other phone I went ASAP in dialer to check my IMEI & SN both are still intact
I knew about EFS unfortunately I backed it up on Phone Storage which was wiped for ROM and I forgot (So dont have EFS Backup )
I do recall years ago back when I had S3 I experienced this and sometimes flashing different firmware(CSC ,Modem) fixed it
What I have tried so far
I have already tried several stock ROMs most of em had DPI1 Baseband except 2 other ROMS no luck
tried combination file method too (the one that helps downgrade to kitkat i believe ) no luck
Tried XEO repair Firmware no luck
any suggestions ??
and on that contrary now that I am not on stock is there any way to find out which CSC and Stock ROM this phone originally was one or came with with IMEI or Serial I believe ?
Thanks in Advance

Anyone??

under the battery there's the serial number
install on your pc samsung smart switch program
run it with option of emergency software recovery - device initialisation
input the model of your phone
input the serial number
start
have patience and a good connection
your phone will (eventually) get the latest official firmware
https://www.blogtechtips.com/2017/06/24/easily-restore-samsung-device-firmware-with-smart-switch/
at least you'll have a working phone with stock rom
from here on you can try again and get informed better on what to do
good luck

w41ru5 said:
under the battery there's the serial number
install on your pc samsung smart switch program
run it with option of emergency software recovery - device initialisation
input the model of your phone
input the serial number
start
have patience and a good connection
your phone will (eventually) get the latest official firmware
https://www.blogtechtips.com/2017/06/24/easily-restore-samsung-device-firmware-with-smart-switch/
at least you'll have a working phone with stock rom
from here on you can try again and get informed better on what to do
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there bud I have almost tried most of fixes I could I'll give Smart Switch a try as I recall I checked before it didn't have initialization just the recovery mode, while in Kies 3 I did try initialization method by model and SN but it prompted device doesn't support initialization
Anyways do you think it could fix network?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

crossmedia said:
Hey there bud I have almost tried most of fixes I could I'll give Smart Switch a try as I recall I checked before it didn't have initialization just the recovery mode, while in Kies 3 I did try initialization method by model and SN but it prompted device doesn't support initialization
Anyways do you think it could fix network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe restore the efs from recovery, if you have a backup that was working.

w41ru5 said:
Maybe restore the efs from recovery, if you have a backup that was working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jist checked not getting initialization option on smart switch ill see a work around it if its a version thing , as for working backup I lost it mate it was in twrp folder in phone storage it got wiped recovery softwares out there only help recovering media mostly if mass storage mount was option could have tried recovering for PC but that has been long gone since ICS
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Yep. Same problem as mine. Im kinda lost now since i dont have anything; even in stock rom it cannot go beyond connecting to my carrier. It only able to read my contact.
Im guessing its a motherboard problem? Isnt it @w41ru5?

VannM said:
Yep. Same problem as mine. Im kinda lost now since i dont have anything; even in stock rom it cannot go beyond connecting to my carrier. It only able to read my contact.
Im guessing its a motherboard problem? Isnt it @w41ru5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know. Usually it's a modem issue when not recognizing the sim.
If it's a 910F snapdragon it might be the infamous eMMC issue.
If you have an EFS backup try to restore it from recovery TWRP.

Assuming its modem problem, its related to motherboard i guess, right?
Finally got the phone working, only to discovered that SIM not working. Really wasting my time and hype!
Plus, its hard to search for n910c replacement board here.

VannM said:
Assuming its modem problem, its related to motherboard i guess, right?
Finally got the phone working, only to discovered that SIM not working. Really wasting my time and hype!
Plus, its hard to search for n910c replacement board here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The firmware, not the physical one.
Did you try to flash the 4 files repair firmware?
This is an example, I don't know what phone you have
https://firmware.gem-flash.com/index.php?a=downloads&b=folder&id=7081
Did you try the SmartSwitch pc program?

"...4 file repair..."- what? Ive google it until im almost run out of data here and you have a possible solution? You must be active in note4 forum.
One thing i noticed that, the IMEI and Serial Number are different from the sticker included.
I will try it, but not immediately; waiting for thurday-friday for data renewal.
My phone is n910c
EDIT : just checked the page you gave. I have few question;
What should i do with the files? What are the step? What are the program needed?
Is it related to SmartSwitch as you mention; need to use it?
Thanks!

VannM said:
"...4 file repair..."- what? Ive google it until im almost run out of data here and you have a possible solution? You must be active in note4 forum.
One thing i noticed that, the IMEI and Serial Number are different from the sticker included.
I will try it, but not immediately; waiting for thurday-friday for data renewal.
My phone is n910c
EDIT : just checked the page you gave. I have few question;
What should i do with the files? What are the step? What are the program needed?
Is it related to SmartSwitch as you mention; need to use it?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. It's good you still have the IMEI. Not so important if they're different from the sticker. Where did you buy the phone from?
2. So if you go to check the 4 files repair, you need to search on that site the files for a 910C.
3. Did the phone worked on your country provider? If yes, maybe you need to search for the 4files corresponding to your region code.
4. These 4files have to be flashed with Odin
https://zfirmware.com/download-samsung-repair-firmwares/
5. SmartSwitch is an alternative to get the latest firmware for your phone according with the model and serial number.
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/threads/29914-SmartSwitch-Install-amp-update-or-replace-firmware

the "firmware.gem" are useless. the error says i need another package (i assume a quota) to download the needed files.
im currently testing "zfirmware", but have a doubt since it only give 1 type file (which country is it i dunno). but yeah, since my phone like that, it wouldnt hurt to try
EDIT : yep, nothing changed. the device not even bricked.

VannM said:
the "firmware.gem" are useless. the error says i need another package (i assume a quota) to download the needed files.
im currently testing "zfirmware", but have a doubt since it only give 1 type file (which country is it i dunno). but yeah, since my phone like that, it wouldnt hurt to try
EDIT : yep, nothing changed. the device not even bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If something does not work, why do you give up so easy?
http://www.mediafire.com/file/a2fdo0xm9nat5jt/N910CXXS2DPJ3_N910CZTO2DPE2_ZTO.zip - this is marshmallow
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=24269982087001472 - this is for lolipop
Put the phone in download mode, open Odin and try.
And try the smartswitch also.

w41ru5 said:
If something does not work, why do you give up so easy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That hurts. A lot. Explanation below.
w41ru5 said:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/a2fdo0xm9nat5jt/N910CXXS2DPJ3_N910CZTO2DPE2_ZTO.zip - this is marshmallow
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=24269982087001472 - this is for lolipop
Put the phone in download mode, open Odin and try.
And try the smartswitch also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried files from LP and MM. It didnt work. And also smartswitch.
I was hoping that it will brick the phone (if i ever missed a step or incorrect file) but it didnt.
Might as well try looking for replacement board (or even a refurbished note4).
Thanks though for the suggestion @w41ru5!

Greetings again folks reading your replies above I have been trying almost every fix there is out there
First of all about Emergency Calls Only/Not Registered on Network
It can be due to several causes its can be Hardware ie faulty modem
it can be bad network coverage
it can be bad simcard
it can be SW with EFS problems or maybe even on rare occasion a modem file that you flashed
EFS can be either bad IMEI with CERT : FAIL or Just Network with IMEI and SN intact
just dial *#0011*# and see if you have CERT : PASS ( also someone with good IMEI/CERT and working network can share screenshot so i can compare whats wrong)
I am certain mine is EFS related because it happened after flashing modem DPCB modem via ODIN (I had TWRP EFS backup but the blunder I made was backing it up on phone storage and being careless forgot it was there and was wiped for custom ROM flashing process)
So far what I have tried
Combination File Method (and even downgrade to KK 4.4.4 )
Repair Firmware that include AP,BL,CP,CSC and even PIT
Kies 3 or Older Smart Switch says (Device doesn't support initialization ) since initialization feature was removed by Samsung on newer Smartswitch(since it was being used for wrong reasons? read somewhere)
Several different firmware's
OTA update
My IMEI CERT says PASS if only we had a network patch like Ariza Patch (for Galaxy S3) for Note 4 then we would be in luck so far at this point I dont think flashing ROM's would even help with bad EFS our only luck is Box e.g Z3x or Octo dont know if we are allowed to talk about those here (ill edit post if not)
these box applications have Network Patch for most Samsung models but I don't see one for N910C in most versions
for those with bad IMEI they can try writing good cert or efs on note 4 since they have already lost it I am sitting on it because my EFS is good on that part and for some reason box app isnt allowing me to back up my CERT if I am able to back up current cert then ill give those a try but I would prefer current IMEI since in my country IMEI should be verified to use the phone or you have to pay tax
I know its Bad EFS for sure because using Box application I chose reset EFS(after backing up current faulty EFS with good IMEI) upon reboot phone's imei was changed with no SN network came back for few seconds then gone again ,this happened to many users that have tried resetting EFS so I restored my original EFS
if anyone here with N910C and root can give me EFS folder I can corelate if any file required for network is missing since i have good IMEI
Cheers!

[Guide] How to change CSC on A51

Warning: Do this at your own risk, I am not responsible for any damage that is caused to your device. This method worked for me and should work for everyone.
Credit to yakapa40 on XDA for the apk. This would be impossible without him!
You must make sure the model numbers are the same for the country you want to change to. To check that go to
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/recent/
and type in your device model number. leave country code blank. The countries that are listed are those that will work on your specific device. DO NOT TRY TO CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT MODEL NUMBER COUNTRY!
MAKE sure device has above 70% battery just to be safe
OK lets start!
Backup all your data on samsung cloud and google
This will **erase** all your data
Download samsung drivers
https://www.hardreset.info/download/samsung-drivers/
Check the CSC code you want from
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2546689 credit to Jasi2169
Important later
download the firmware you want from sammobile (slow download speed) or
https://samfw.com/ for faster download speeds.
It will be a zip file so use winrar to extract and you should get 5 files that start with
AP (System &Recovery)
BL (Bootloader)
CP (Modem / Radio)
CSC\_ (Country / Region / Operator)
HOME\_CSC (Country / Region / Operator)
DELETE the home file
Next download Odin
https://dl2018.sammobile.com/Odin3-v3.14.4.zip
Extract the Odin file and run as administrator
Add each file to its respective field in Odin
Now we need to put the phone in download mode to do that go to:
https://www.hardreset.info/devices/samsung/samsung-galaxy-a51/download-mode/
keep trying until it works.
Next plug the device in and press start. It should take about 3-4 mins for odin to say PASS
DO NOT UNPLUG THE PHONE AT ANY POINT EVEN AFTER ODIN SAYS PASS
Let the phone do its thing and dont worry if it takes too long on the Samsung screen.
You should then be greeted with the welcome screen BUT it may not be the correct language so set it to English (I flashed UK firmware and it came in Russian)
Set the phone up but dont worry about apps we are going to reset the phone again
Head over to (APK provided by yakapa40)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hU3vl_V7NsRgI_RsQywytORoB8isJ1ni/view?usp=sharing
on your device or PC and download it. Extract and it should be a apk file. Download it with your device.
Allow unknown sources and it should says done and not open (that is normal)
put you device in flight mode/airplane mode
hold down the home screen and go to themes
Galaxy themes
My stuff
Select mysterious theme(make sure not to click update)
Select try it out
Go to Settings
About phone
Legal information
Change Carrier or whatever third option is (the one that says android 10)
Choose and install the CSC you want (that 3 letter code) remove sim and it will restart phone
again, dont worry if its on the Samsung screen for too long.
You should be back on the welcome screen and you are done!!!
Set up the phone and enjoy!!!
Credit to yakapa40 again on XDA for the apk. This would be impossible without him!

Does it work to enable the NFC on the latam version?

holach said:
Does it work to enable the NFC on the latam version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if the phone has nfc then it will work. NFC is hardware not software.

this method void warranty? ¡Saludos!

carloselvirus said:
this method void warranty? ¡Saludos!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no

thanks! i did it and it worked great

If i flash a firmware my brightness problem will go away?

GeorgeEdwardoo said:
If i flash a firmware my brightness problem will go away?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your actual screen is faulty then it wont work but no harm in trying since warranty is not voided

hey, my galaxy theme has not try out option in airplane mode ,, it says check network connection (it has only two button check connection and try again , no try out)... what should I do?

I already installed the mysterious theme and select "try it out", I went to "settings", About phone and in "Legal Information", the option "Change Carrier" does not appear, what could be the problem?
The software version says it is October 1, 2020. Thanks!

danao78 said:
I already installed the mysterious theme and select "try it out", I went to "settings", About phone and in "Legal Information", the option "Change Carrier" does not appear, what could be the problem?
The software version says it is October 1, 2020. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just got a new phone with the same software version and the same problem. Did you ever come up with a solution?
Thanks.
Edit: actually this is closer to my problem.
armanate said:
hey, my galaxy theme has not try out option in airplane mode ,, it says check network connection (it has only two button check connection and try again , no try out)... what should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

oldnoob said:
Just got a new phone with the same software version and the same problem. Did you ever come up with a solution?
Thanks.
Edit: actually this is closer to my problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anybody share the app the link is no working no more

Hi, I changed csc on my A51 in order to enable native call recording feature ( Italian stock firmware and Vietnam XXV CSC ) but after last OTA update ( build a515fxxu5eug5 ) google pay stopped working due to "unsafe firmware", as it was rooted.
Which is your advice ?

andr123a said:
Hi, I changed csc on my A51 in order to enable native call recording feature ( Italian stock firmware and Vietnam XXV CSC ) but after last OTA update ( build a515fxxu5eug5 ) google pay stopped working due to "unsafe firmware", as it was rooted.
Which is your advice ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
interesting.. is that means if you skip OTA everything will works ? is your phone boatload unlocked ?

bizkit_120 said:
interesting.. is that means if you skip OTA everything will works ? is your phone boatload unlocked ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. I think there was some problem with THAT update....because after further updates it started working again...
(Stock Bootloader)

Sounds like very thing works fine now on your phone? How s that call recording func ,works as expected with Bluetooth headphones connected as well ? What about caller id ,assume since region has changed It won't gonna detect correct local numbers,am I right? Thanks for sharing!

Nono, everything about calls (and recording) works perfectly, with headphones, too