A205P? compatible w/ A205f an a205u firmware and combo files? - Samsung Galaxy A20 Questions & Answers

Been looking for over an hour and maybe I'm missing something obvious but I can't find any documentation on the variants and compatibility..... and every firmware or mod on the internet says ONLY FOR THIS MODEL = FLASHING THE WRONG VERSION COULD BLOW **** UP.
I'm trying to fix and update a soft bricked a20p for my neighbor, but most of the downloads that match my needs are /f or /u. I'm worried I'll make his situation worse and invoke the No Good Deed Goes Unpunished statute and owe him a phone can anyone advise? thanks in advance - HT
ps- I saw somewhere the /G versions can be BL unlocked- anyone know where the /p stands?

Try here
https://www.full-repair-firmware.com/search?q=A20

So I searched the net for "SM-A205P" and all the results point towards it actually being an "SM-A205U".
If I'm allowed to ask, which country are you in ?

Jeremy_J7 said:
So I searched the net for "SM-A205P" and all the results point towards it actually being an "SM-A205U".
If I'm allowed to ask, which country are you in ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course - no problem I'm in the US and it displays a metro by tmobile boot animation - recovery mode says samsung a20psq/a20p at the top (rather odd with the slash double name thing) on intital boot it just says samsung a20 in big letters - the title screen...
It seems stock I have no idea about its history or if its been flashed before (ie the metro flavor added on or purchased as is) I was thinking it was a general US model U is the unlocked? any idea what the F is? It seem F and U are interchangeable - no pun intended other than the FU from the mothership on the BL hah
thank you-H

HTidwell said:
of course - no problem I'm in the US and it displays a metro by tmobile boot animation - recovery mode says samsung a20psq/a20p at the top (rather odd with the slash double name thing) on intital boot it just says samsung a20 in big letters - the title screen...
It seems stock I have no idea about its history or if its been flashed before (ie the metro flavor added on or purchased as is) I was thinking it was a general US model U is the unlocked? any idea what the F is? It seem F and U are interchangeable - no pun intended other than the FU from the mothership on the BL hah
thank you-H
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the F variant. I'm not sure about interchanging firmware's if they have been tampered with by the carrier.
Like I recently had a friend with a Note9 and I flashed the wrong firmware from my country (We have XFA,XFE and XFE) I flashed his phone with XFA when it supposed to have been XFV (Due to the carrier) and the phone worked and booted up but sim cards weren't working. When I did this - his phone didn't boot with the carrier logo as it should have. I'm still waiting for him to drop the phone off so I can flash it again.
Flashing on carrier locked devices can be tricky.
I think the U firmware can be or rather IS used on that device and is just labelled like so.
I have done a little bit more research and I think that this [ https://samfrew.com/model/SM-A205U/region/TMB/ ] is the set of firmware that is for that device.
This one guy tried to unlock the phone and he posted his logs and its seems to have that "a20psq/a20p" that you were talking about - Which implies that it is the U variant and also T-Mobile (TMB ?). https://www.martview-forum.com/threads/a205u-unlock-issue.23160/

A205p is the universal version of our phone. It's not a retail unit.

Does ur recovery happen to look like this??... Ive never seen 1 that lists it twice... I havent rooted it and it's the a205u from metro and supposedly I bought it new... but for about a yr now it been really weird

Related

From the hospital: SIM not working. Also, it it really i9500?

Hi
Background: I am usually very thorough when buying a new phone. This time I Wasn't well for many days and in the hospital. Urgently needed a new phone and ordered 1 online from a used shop. I specially wanted i9500.. no other variant..
I got one, it said i9500 on the back cover (echted in the plastics and well as the paper... which said made in india.. also the paper/sticker wasn't samsung quality but maybe since it was used, and indian made, i thought ok..
Now I inserted my sim and turned it on... Some chinese s***t! then samsung logo then the TouchWiz.. But there were many chinese apps as well. AND IT DID NOT DETECT MY SIM. Settings say its an i9500.. it felt like a samsung but something was off... In camera, as soon as I took a pic, phone got shut off! Had to take out battery... (btw, it says android 4.42 and when I go to Update.. .Samsung says it cant as device has been modified)
reformatted phone... more chinese sh*t, then Android loads up and there is no play store!
So I downoad a Darky ROM for i9500 and try flashing.. viola!! success.. Android 5.0.1
It said Sim not registered... then that message dissappears and now it shows me FULL SIGNALS but when I try to dial anything, it says Not registered on network! - WHen I went to settings... in device it is now saying:SM-903F (is that a ROM thing or is that the real phone model I have..?)
Can someone please help me.. the phone is very important here in my hosp.. cant type/read a lot of my laptop, it is very energy comsuming
Regards
P.S My location is Pakistan
See if you can enter download mode (Volume down and Power). If you can get into download mode, read off the model number displayed on screen. If you can't, the S4 is counterfeit.
The phone could also be a combination of various parts from different hardware versions of the s4.
Also, check to see if the imei is okay.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
See if you can enter download mode (Volume down and Power). If you can get into download mode, read off the model number displayed on screen. If you can't, the S4 is counterfeit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download mode says GT-I9500CHN
hmm
audit13 said:
The phone could also be a combination of various parts from different hardware versions of the s4.
Also, check to see if the imei is okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes bro, I can see the IMEI..
I tried flashing another ROM (TouchWiz) - Still sim is not recognized (but signal bars goes to full.. even if I take out the SIM.. guess thats a ROM issue)
Anyways, still stuck.. Which modem should I try flashing... :|
I was going to suggest a stock 9500 rom from sammobile.com but there are only ROMs for the 9500, not 9500chn.
Googling the model 9500chn links to other people that have the same problem when trying to flash another rom.
audit13 said:
I was going to suggest a stock 9500 rom from sammobile.com but there are only ROMs for the 9500, not 9500chn.
Googling the model 9500chn links to other people that have the same problem when trying to flash another rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone model become GT-I9500CHN because of Chinese bootloader that unfortunately very hard to get rid of this stuff.
______
Your phone might be trying to connect to China Mobile or China Unicom that uses TD-SCDMA instead of WCDMA for most regions.
Also, after you install DarkLord S6 port on your device, you'll get phone model on About device as SM-G903F (Galaxy S5 Neo) instead of the normal one for more compatibility (according to the developer).
I would try to check the IMEI online to see if this is original or not (ilegally tampered from other device).
Sent from my GT-I9500
krasCGQ said:
The phone model become GT-I9500CHN because of Chinese bootloader that unfortunately very hard to get rid of this stuff.
______
Your phone might be trying to connect to China Mobile or China Unicom that uses TD-SCDMA instead of WCDMA for most regions.
Also, after you install DarkLord S6 port on your device, you'll get phone model on About device as SM-G903F (Galaxy S5 Neo) instead of the normal one for more compatibility (according to the developer).
I would try to check the IMEI online to see if this is original or not (ilegally tampered from other device).
Sent from my GT-I9500
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What to do then? I tried installing Omega ROM v 28... after installtion, screen goes blank... tried it twice!
Any solution
hdaackda said:
What to do then? I tried installing Omega ROM v 28... after installtion, screen goes blank... tried it twice!
Any solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheap chinese fake replicas. All ib one line.
Do nothing about it. Ordering online was the worst decision.
Now there are threads here on how to manage these clones. Read one of them
DeepankarS said:
Cheap chinese fake replicas. All ib one line.
Do nothing about it. Ordering online was the worst decision.
Now there are threads here on how to manage these clones. Read one of them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hate chinese like u do... but this is not cheap
and it is actually a REAL Samsung Galaxy
problem is its GT-i9500CHN - aargghhhhhh - pain doubling... due to me being in hospital. cant go outside to kill someone
If you flashed custom ROMs and them boot, it's not a clone. I9500 performs an Exynos CPU, Chinese clones a Mediatek one, so just for this ROMs couldn't even boot.
All you can do is try to flash a stock firmware from SamMobile, an I9500 firmware coming from China, and see what happens.
By the way, I think this guy bought a Chinese (Genuine) I9500, then rooted it for install Google Apps, that would probably be the reason of the GApps disappearing after formatting (as far as I know, Chinese phones have a backup partition where an emergency copy of the stock firmware is located, I don't know if Samsung does this as well).
For the SIM problem, it's probably simlock, and it probably works only with a determined Chinese operator (or, again, it probably doesn't supports Pakistan's signal bands).
All you can do is check your IMEI on some dedicated site and see if it's simlock, then if it's not, check if the bands that your phone supports are compatible with Pakistan ones.
Sorry for my bad english.
Nexus⁴ on Tapatalk.
Again, China's bands are TD-SCDMA, not WCDMA as we use mostly over the world.
Sent from my GT-I9500
in and out of hospital. operation botched. going again. thanks for all your help guys, 1 last issue
baseband changed. signals working!! finally
one problem, as soon as I take picture, phone shuts down instantaneouly. have to take out battery and restart. ANY english i9500chn ROM pls??
hdaackda said:
in and out of hospital. operation botched. going again. thanks for all your help guys, 1 last issue
baseband changed. signals working!! finally
one problem, as soon as I take picture, phone shuts down instantaneouly. have to take out battery and restart. ANY english i9500chn ROM pls??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once again, GT-I9500CHN is just from the bootloader. Installing any GT-I9500 firmware should work.
Sent from my GT-I9500

Help please

I bought a second hand note 4 which came from abroad... dont know where but the device shows Sprint . The device shows SM N910F in 'about device'. How ever entering recovery the device info shown is SM N910P. I wanted to check for updates but doesnt work. Later i found the IMEI no. is fake ( shows a galaxy tab in imei info). Kies doesnt connect. 'dm- verity verification failed' in recovery mode. The phone is working properly but want to install complete stock. Have downloaded UK based firmware 6.1. via odin but doesnt install. 'About device' shows ' N910FVPU4COG5' (with FVPU) , the nearest i could find on sammobile is N910PVPU4COG5 ( PVPU which shows CDMA)
Please help me get into complete stock with proper IMEI. I dont even know where to start.
I'd recommend getting a refund if you can as there is a high probablity the device you've purchased has been stolen.
Thank you so much for your response. But refund now is not an option now, as I bought second hand from a friend who came from abroad. I need to find a way to repair it myself. Any ideas?
sharad81 said:
Thank you so much for your response. But refund now is not an option now, as I bought second hand from a friend who came from abroad. I need to find a way to repair it myself. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you take off the battery, the label underneath should have the original IMEI? Is that there? Then you could put that back using the engineering menu.
See if you have the original label under battery.
the label also has fake imei. its the same number that appears in the device.
I checked few sites. What I think is someone is masking SM N910P with SM N910F ( read somewhere F is better than P and is easier to sell). I think my device has gone through same. I tried installing SM N910F original stock but the device didnt accept. I have downloaded SM N910P also but too scared to try as I have come to know that SM N910P is a CDMA. Any suggestions?
There are apps in the Play Store that do imei changing. Read those app descriptions and do some research. DO NOT PAY ANYONE YET TO DO ANYTHING. I am also looking, so i can get back to you what i find. So for it looks that imei changing can be done easily for free. But you just need to know a proper imei - this is the hard part.
Do you think you can peel of the label to see if another is under there? That may have the true imei.....
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA-Developers mobile app
---------- Post added at 02:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:33 AM ----------
sharad81 said:
I checked few sites. What I think is someone is masking SM N910P with SM N910F ( read somewhere F is better than P and is easier to sell). I think my device has gone through same. I tried installing SM N910F original stock but the device didnt accept. I have downloaded SM N910P also but too scared to try as I have come to know that SM N910P is a CDMA. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at your previous posts it looks like you definitrly have a CDMA device, and from Sprint. This is being faked as n910f, which is an international version BUT GSM. The other possibility is described below...
In Verizon note 4, which is CDMA, there are two sim slots. This is required now by law. One is CDMA and other slot is GSM or actually meant for sim when abroad I think Sprint also is the same. I have Vefizon. Verizon phones are also facgory unlocked. If you are using GSM maybe try switching sim slots. In this case yiur phone has been flashed with international version firmware so it can be recognised on gsm networks. If you have a GSM sim try both sim slots.
EDIT: I checked this and I think Slrint does not have two sims.
Go to this site and post the problem. You will def grt an answer
http://www.technobezz.com/restore-galaxy-null-imei-and-fix-not-registered-on-network/
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA-Developers mobile app
You are not alone, I got that kind of device too, with same build number as yours. My goal is to put a sprint custom rom and I use miui, but as soon as I install twrp the device got bootloop, I back-up the rom and install miui, now it works perfect, even 99000 imei (maybe the original imei) appears.
bangeko said:
You are not alone, I got that kind of device too, with same build number as yours. My goal is to put a sprint custom rom and I use miui, but as soon as I install twrp the device got bootloop, I back-up the rom and install miui, now it works perfect, even 99000 imei (maybe the original imei) appears.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please put a link to that rom my note 4 wich have the same problem stuck in bootlop for ever
Gents, have you tried this - Phone INFO ★Samsung★ from gplay? It's telling what you have in your hands. After that you can check IMEI changing and other things.

G950FD from Iran (THR) with pre-installed Persian/Iranian Calendar

I bought an unlocked G950FD which turns out to be CSC THR (part of OXM) so should mean it's from Iran. I have found it generic enough in almost every way to be used internationally (in English) with two noticeable exceptions that i'm trying to solve.
1) there is pre-installed Persian Calendar in the OS which appears after the Gregorian date on the AOS and lock screen. I also noticed this extra date appearing on the Samsung Calendar app under the western date, but i don't use this app at all so can easily ignore. The AOS and lock screen is seen all the time and would displays: "MON, JUNE 5 (KHOR 15)". I looked through every settings on the phone and many forums online, and there is no software way to turn this off.
I thought a potential solution would be to replace this stock ROM with another region since any of the multi-CSC OXM firmwares should be compatible with the phone. So I tried to flash another region using Odin. I tried Singapore (SIN and STH) and completely reset/wiped the phone two separate times. However, despite flashing a large (almost 6GB) file onto the phone it still remains in THR when i looked in settings. I guess I misunderstood the purpose of different firmware regions, I thought i would be changing my phone's existing firmware to another region and get a different set of default apps and localization behavior. But the Persian date is still there on all the same screens.
Am I flashing the rom incorrectly? Is there some setting that i omitted that would give me the desired result of a Singapore OS? Any other ways to change CSC and get rid of unwanted parts of a regional firmware?
2) Another problem is when i receive calls on my local sim card, the phone number shows up without the country code, but if i store my numbers (on Google contacts) in "+<country code> <phone number>" format then the contact is not linked to the incoming call.
Apparently this is fairly common with international phones being used in another market. There is a workaround where i can edit my numbers on google to not have any numerical country codes but instead use the flag drop-down menu on google to indicate country associated with the number. I'm ok with that solution but is there another way? Would flashing a regional firmware that is my location solve this? The region that i intend to use the phone is not part of the OXM multi-CSC list of countries since they only sell the snapdragon variant here.
I would like to find solutions that would avoid root and custom roms, but if that is the only option here, i am not against going down that route.
Thanks a lot in advance.
My eventual solution and what i've learned.
So as i described above, i tried to flash many different versions of G950FD or G950F firware with multi-CSC OXM, but never saw my CSC change from THR. Nothing changed on my phone despite installing large files through odin which was always confusing to me. For the record, i tried BTU (UK), STH (Singapore), and SIN (Singapore) which are all part of the OXM.
I learned from another forum that the sim-card installed matters, so i was just trying different non-middle-east regions by picking UK or Singapore but my actual home region does not support this model/cpu variant. I don't have a sim-card from any OXM regions, only Hong Kong and US ones.
Then i found an old Australian (Optus) sim card from a trip and found a G950F firmware version with CSC OPS on Updato. Not part of CSC OXM but same PDA/Phone version and was told it's safe to flash. When i flashed that firmware with the AU sim card installed, i got the AU OS and all the old regional apps were gone. I got some Australian ones but nothing i can't uninstall. My caller ID problem also seem to be fixed. So i consider the problem fixed.
In all of this, the PDA version numbers were always the same (AQDG), so i'm still a bit unclear as to what the CSC file is specifying and doing.
Am i correct to assume that multi-CSC OXM firmware contained regional apps/settings for all the various regions but without a sim card installed to tell it which one to pick, it kept selecting the factory region of THR? And when i flashed the Optus firmware, did i really need the sim-card installed? Would it have changed the firmware to OPS because it's outside the multi-CSC OXM group?
You live in Hong Kong, right ?
I do too, and have a UAE S8, and Samsung Pay doesn't work.
Does your working around things allow you to use Pay, or you get stuck on the splash screen as well ?
tarkil said:
You live in Hong Kong, right ?
I do too, and have a UAE S8, and Samsung Pay doesn't work.
Does your working around things allow you to use Pay, or you get stuck on the splash screen as well ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i live in HK, so with the AU Optus Firmware I got a AU version of Samsung Pay with all AU ads and suggested businesses. I can get past the splash and login using my normal Samsung Account, which shouldn't have a region. BUT so far i haven't had any success adding any of my HK credit cards, i assume it's a version compatibility issue. There is no way to pick which regional version of Samsung Pay on the Play Store, so i guess it looks at your phone's origin to determine that part of the app.
I am not that keen to use Samsung Pay, but of course interested to know if it is possible. It says to call the banks to get my credit cards added, so maybe there is still a chance and i will post if i do succeed.
Do you think Samsung Pay is particularly good for HK? Would using Android Pay be comparable here? I'm not that experienced with mobile payment apps in the past. Seems like the membership card storage function will still work on my Samsung Pay so at least i have that and can slim down the wallet a bit.
Hey there buddy,
Finally found a thread that represents my problem also, in my case i have a s8 G950FD that shows the same thing on my lockscreen, by me it shows (KHOR18)!
Is there any way around it, i mean a fix?? I would greatly appreciate any help
Yes that's the Iranian calendar date so the day will increment everyday. Khor is abbrev for the current month.
Yes I have a solution (read my second post in thread) but involves flashing with a sim card and 950f or 950fd firmware of the same region as the sim card. You will need to reset and erase phone data.
If you need help flashing stock firmware there is a long thread on this forum and where I found the answer about how the sim card installed might make difference.
What region/sim are you currently trying to use your s8?
derf574 said:
Yes that's the Iranian calendar date so the day will increment everyday. Khor is abbrev for the current month.
Yes I have a solution (read my second post in thread) but involves flashing with a sim card and 950f or 950fd firmware of the same region as the sim card. You will need to reset and erase phone data.
If you need help flashing stock firmware there is a long thread on this forum and where I found the answer about how the sim card installed might make difference.
What region/sim are you currently trying to use your s8?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there again,
Thank you very much for the time. I am in SE Europe, to be more precise Republic of Kosovo. My SIM is from Kosovo ( we are considered i believe to be in Europe carrier wise)
I do need help flashing the phone as i have no experience whatsoever i just recently switched from Iphone to Samsung, this being said i must also mention the fact that i would definitely need help. I dont want to mess up the phone i just got it like 2 days ago
Things to consider:
- You can flash both 950F and 950FD firmware on your 950FD.
- You need to find your desired firmware. And that region needs to match your sim card, use Updato or SamMobile but the firmware package is a >3GB file and takes a while to download. Make sure you only look for versions for model 950F or FD.
- You will need to download Odin and Samsung usb drivers to flash the firmware onto your phone. Follow the thread "OFFICIAL STOCK Firmware-update (Odin) thread Samsung GALAXY S8 SM-G950F" for the guide.
Colonel_Kosova said:
Hey there again,
Thank you very much for the time. I am in SE Europe, to be more precise Republic of Kosovo. My SIM is from Kosovo ( we are considered i believe to be in Europe carrier wise)
I do need help flashing the phone as i have no experience whatsoever i just recently switched from Iphone to Samsung, this being said i must also mention the fact that i would definitely need help. I dont want to mess up the phone i just got it like 2 days ago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you decided to go the "SIM card CSC" method then follow this step by step:
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37711
But I personally think you should do it through flashing a firmware with odin but properly and pay attention to step 6:
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37508
Hope they help you resolve your issues.
Good luck.
samteeee said:
If you decided to go the "SIM card CSC" method then follow this step by step:
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37711
But I personally think you should do it through flashing a firmware with odin but properly and pay attention to step 6:
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37508
Hope they help you resolve your issues.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again thank you very much for everything i do have one last question please. Regarding the step 6 should i do it or not i am not sure
Colonel_Kosova said:
Again thank you very much for everything i do have one last question please. Regarding the step 6 should i do it or not i am not sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you are changing country/code of CSC, then the system needs to recalculate the partitions.
And don't forget no short cuts! Every step should be done.
Good luck.
ooo man this things is killing me now the problem i have after i have rooted the phone is that the computer wont recognize my phone in download mode ??????????
Hey Peeps,
Small update on how things are for the time being. I have been following all steps as described with odin. Last night i had issues with my laptop not recognizing my phone in download mode, got rid of this issue by changing laptops. Once the procedure was finished i ended up with the same thing on my phone???
I have flashed a european software ( from france) but still no go on removing or changing the region!!!
To be honest dont really know what to do again help is appreciated since that date thing is really annoying
Any other way to get rid of khor on aod/aos
Went through the whole thread. Def not keen to flash or run csc. Any other way to turn off khor date from aod? Help !!!
Hey there all, again just a quick thank you for the tips and tricks. To be honest i dont really know what i did exactely but it worked for me.
What did the change by me was the first step, namely: https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37711
i really cant tell how but it worked ( used a sim card i have from Slovenia)
till the next one thank you again

[SM-J5108] Convert my J5 SM-J5108 to a more usable version ? (510F ?)

Hello,
My title may not be very cler but I can't find any custom ROMs for my device the J5 SM-J5108CHM (J5 China Mobile version) I can find official firmware but I just hate the interface, I found a really good-looking ROM (VIperOS) but it was for another variant of the phone.
So my question is : can I convert this phone to some other variant with same specs ? Thanks in advance
I've got the same question but no one seems to go to this thread if anyone has an answer to this that would be very appreciated. the j5108 seems to have all the same specs as the other variants so it should work but I'm not taking any risks because this is my everyday phone.
also the china mobile os is complete rubbish use this one (im a new user so i cant post link but just search up updato (dot) com, go to search bar and search j5108, in teh filters bar up top choose hong kong and press update under the search bar)
First, install any lollipop update (if you skip straight to marshmallow you'll end up in a bootloop), and then install either OTA update (it keeps failing for people but its good if you don't want to use Odin again) or you can download the marshmallow os after you install lollipop (make sure to NOT do a factory reset etc you'll end up in a boot loop). Install MM os and boom GAPPS and everything else you'll need.
jeff the cheff's left nut said:
I've got the same question but no one seems to go to this thread if anyone has an answer to this that would be very appreciated. the j5108 seems to have all the same specs as the other variants so it should work but I'm not taking any risks because this is my everyday phone.
also the china mobile os is complete rubbish use this one (im a new user so i cant post link but just search up updato (dot) com, go to search bar and search j5108, in teh filters bar up top choose hong kong and press update under the search bar)
First, install any lollipop update (if you skip straight to marshmallow you'll end up in a bootloop), and then install either OTA update (it keeps failing for people but its good if you don't want to use Odin again) or you can download the marshmallow os after you install lollipop (make sure to NOT do a factory reset etc you'll end up in a boot loop). Install MM os and boom GAPPS and everything else you'll need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't. Its a different phone. Maybe you think because it says J5 chinese version that its the same thing, just different model number. There are reasons why ot has a different model number, baseband, etc... Its like you have the Samsung Galaxy S2 with exynos and the American one with SD. They are both S2, but totaly different phones.
does xda have a word cap or did my other post not post because it was long or is the image verification a post-verification. anyway, i was saying that all the j5 2016 variants are exactly the same which in theory would allow any model's OS to work on any variant. S2 isn't a great comparison because different models have different hardware while j5 2016 has different models with identical hardware. Just search up j5108 specs and j510x specs and they'll all be the same ill post back in a few weeks when I get a new battery and test out different OS (rn I'm using the stock hong kong OS). I'll try OS for different PDAs and then ill try out different models. Btw all the spec sites say the variants are compatible with Australia so I shouldn't have a problem using different models OS in Australia (meaning 4G, wifi, phone numbers etc should be fine).
Also please explain in more depth why j5 2016 variants are so different to the point that they have different model numbers (i know that sounds passive aggressive and pretend it isn't I honestly want to know). I'm super sorry if I sound like an arrogant **** that wants everything his way but the way the j5 2016 models are made they all seem identical and logically (and in theory) the other variants OS should work on the j5108. if for some reason I cant see my first reply but others can I'm so sorry for this post.
jeff the cheff's left nut said:
does xda have a word cap or did my other post not post because it was long or is the image verification a post-verification. anyway, i was saying that all the j5 2016 variants are exactly the same which in theory would allow any model's OS to work on any variant. S2 isn't a great comparison because different models have different hardware while j5 2016 has different models with identical hardware. Just search up j5108 specs and j510x specs and they'll all be the same ill post back in a few weeks when I get a new battery and test out different OS (rn I'm using the stock hong kong OS). I'll try OS for different PDAs and then ill try out different models. Btw all the spec sites say the variants are compatible with Australia so I shouldn't have a problem using different models OS in Australia (meaning 4G, wifi, phone numbers etc should be fine).
Also please explain in more depth why j5 2016 variants are so different to the point that they have different model numbers (i know that sounds passive aggressive and pretend it isn't I honestly want to know). I'm super sorry if I sound like an arrogant **** that wants everything his way but the way the j5 2016 models are made they all seem identical and logically (and in theory) the other variants OS should work on the j5108. if for some reason I cant see my first reply but others can I'm so sorry for this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phones today can have the same harware, same SoC, same RAM, same everything, even the same RIL preferences, but they are different models. The whole stock software was made for a specific device model. The J510FN is different than the J510H, if there was no difference why would Samsung bother to make many versions? The whole operating system, every part of it: Kernel, Apps, Recovery, Hal, Bootloader are mannualy made for a specific model number. Because of that it is hard to make a ROM that supports all of the phones in one Samsung model family lineup. You see now that by pure logic the j508 is very different from the J510FN

Was I scammed or is this a "real" phone?

Context: Bought a an s8 for cheap, model number comes up as g950fd, went about installing stuff then went to get a sim card the next day.
Aaaannddd I can't connect to my network, and upon checking i have no imei number, and my baseband is uknown. Only thing I have is a serial # that comes up "clean" upon checking on sndeep.info
I casually browse/lurk this forum so I'm not gonna ask for IMEI advice. Rather I'd like to know if I should be going after this dude (who has about 2 days head start I guess), or I can take this somewhere to have it "fixed"?
p.s. I'm in the philipines so IMEI services aren't illegal (I think?)
Thanks!
Best thing to do is to reinstall firmware with smart switch software. If after that it still says no imei and no baseband then whoever you bought the phone off, they messed up the efs possibly.
panicMode said:
Context: Bought a an s8 for cheap, model number comes up as g950fd, went about installing stuff then went to get a sim card the next day.
Aaaannddd I can't connect to my network, and upon checking i have no imei number, and my baseband is uknown. Only thing I have is a serial # that comes up "clean" upon checking on sndeep.info
I casually browse/lurk this forum so I'm not gonna ask for IMEI advice. Rather I'd like to know if I should be going after this dude (who has about 2 days head start I guess), or I can take this somewhere to have it "fixed"?
p.s. I'm in the philipines so IMEI services aren't illegal (I think?)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
=======================================================================================
The only thing i would say about that, is this phone was locked to a network, and someone used a software to unlock it. But the issue with unlocked phone from their network, is that you might lose the IMEI, and i you lose that, you might not be able to use the phone properly. My only suggestion is to go to sammobile.com and download one of the ROMs from there, yet you need to know which network it was in before the happen to it. I think you need to speak with the buyer and ask about the name of the network.
You're basically scammed.
because the previous owner did rootings and stuffs i guess, (check if warranty is 0x0 instead of 0x1.)
If you've rooted and played around system files, wipes etc. You will probably lose your imei @ 10% chance possibility?
Unless you have a EFS Partition backed up before hand from this phone from TWRP. You're basically screwed?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/help/lost-imei-efs-folder-messed-t3614320
And yeah try reflashing firmware from your country etc.
panicMode said:
Context: Bought a an s8 for cheap, model number comes up as g950fd, went about installing stuff then went to get a sim card the next day.
Aaaannddd I can't connect to my network, and upon checking i have no imei number, and my baseband is uknown. Only thing I have is a serial # that comes up "clean" upon checking on sndeep.info
I casually browse/lurk this forum so I'm not gonna ask for IMEI advice. Rather I'd like to know if I should be going after this dude (who has about 2 days head start I guess), or I can take this somewhere to have it "fixed"?
p.s. I'm in the philipines so IMEI services aren't illegal (I think?)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sofir786 said:
Best thing to do is to reinstall firmware with smart switch software. If after that it still says no imei and no baseband then whoever you bought the phone off, they messed up the efs possibly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would follow this advice.This is about the same options i would do my self.Sometimes IEMIs can get messed up with basebands and such so no harm in trying stock restores but most def contact seller and return it if possible
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'll try and get my money back but if this was done with prior knowledge that the phone was wonky my bet is he's gone.
As for the technical advice, will definitely look into it as I'm a complete novice. Will update when something comes up.
Thanks all.
panicMode said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'll try and get my money back but if this was done with prior knowledge that the phone was wonky my bet is he's gone.
As for the technical advice, will definitely look into it as I'm a complete novice. Will update when something comes up.
Thanks all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reflashing of the firmware is quite easy,I hate it for ya buddy if he is gone....It's sad to see people scam others hard earned money....
Not a scam!
panicMode said:
Context: Bought a an s8 for cheap, model number comes up as g950fd, went about installing stuff then went to get a sim card the next day.
Aaaannddd I can't connect to my network, and upon checking i have no imei number, and my baseband is uknown. Only thing I have is a serial # that comes up "clean" upon checking on sndeep.info
I casually browse/lurk this forum so I'm not gonna ask for IMEI advice. Rather I'd like to know if I should be going after this dude (who has about 2 days head start I guess), or I can take this somewhere to have it "fixed"?
p.s. I'm in the philipines so IMEI services aren't illegal (I think?)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't panic just yet! I'm actually super new back into the android game, ditched iphone a few weeks ago and got myself an s8. I started looking into rooting my phone since the last time I rooted an android phone was back when T-mobile had their G1's. So, I thought I had to really re-educate myself upon what android now has to offer. Well, going through different sites, and the different models, versions, variants, etc about the s8, I did come across the G950FD. It's a legit phone. I believe (and feel free to correct me if i'm wrong) they were only sold in India, unlocked, and dual sim! The sim tray in the phone can either hold 2 sim cards, (1 nano sim, 1 micro sim) or if you preferred to extend the capacity instead, the slot for the micro sim, can hold a micro SD card instead, since they're the same size, give or take. The reason it doesn't have an IMEI nor baseband is because the dual-sim capability, thus why the serial number comes back clean. You weren't scammed, you're actually quite lucky since those versions of the s8 were sold in India, and you managed to come into possession of one, for cheap, yet alone a phone everyone here thought was a scam as well. I wish I could have one! But unfortunately, here in the states, I have a CDMA carrier and dual-sim phones don't support it. But heres a link to the source of your awesome new phone! Now you can relax! You not only got an s8, you have a rare one! Enjoy it!
EDIT: I tried to link you to the source, but being a new member I couldn't. However, if you search for Samsung g950fd, it should link you to the Samsung website, where your phone is it. Hope this has helped you feel more at ease with your phone!
G950fd is an international version. I believe the FD has an unlockable bootloader, which makes it sought after. Somebody probably wiped efs In Recovery by accident.
BBREEDMEE said:
Don't panic just yet! I'm actually super new back into the android game, ditched iphone a few weeks ago and got myself an s8. I started looking into rooting my phone since the last time I rooted an android phone was back when T-mobile had their G1's. So, I thought I had to really re-educate myself upon what android now has to offer. Well, going through different sites, and the different models, versions, variants, etc about the s8, I did come across the G950FD. It's a legit phone. I believe (and feel free to correct me if i'm wrong) they were only sold in India, unlocked, and dual sim! The sim tray in the phone can either hold 2 sim cards, (1 nano sim, 1 micro sim) or if you preferred to extend the capacity instead, the slot for the micro sim, can hold a micro SD card instead, since they're the same size, give or take. The reason it doesn't have an IMEI nor baseband is because the dual-sim capability, thus why the serial number comes back clean. You weren't scammed, you're actually quite lucky since those versions of the s8 were sold in India, and you managed to come into possession of one, for cheap, yet alone a phone everyone here thought was a scam as well. I wish I could have one! But unfortunately, here in the states, I have a CDMA carrier and dual-sim phones don't support it. But heres a link to the source of your awesome new phone! Now you can relax! You not only got an s8, you have a rare one! Enjoy it!
EDIT: I tried to link you to the source, but being a new member I couldn't. However, if you search for Samsung g950fd, it should link you to the Samsung website, where your phone is it. Hope this has helped you feel more at ease with your phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude I have the FD version and I have 2 IMEI's. Also, it's not just in India as it's also popular in UAE. Please do your research before replying.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:53 AM ----------
bushako said:
Dude I have the FD version and I have 2 IMEI's. Also, it's not just in India as it's also popular in UAE. Please do your research before replying.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pic
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Vinnvin said:
You're basically scammed.
because the previous owner did rootings and stuffs i guess, (check if warranty is 0x0 instead of 0x1.)
If you've rooted and played around system files, wipes etc. You will probably lose your imei @ 10% chance possibility?
Unless you have a EFS Partition backed up before hand from this phone from TWRP. You're basically screwed?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/help/lost-imei-efs-folder-messed-t3614320
And yeah try reflashing firmware from your country etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we tone the FUD down a bit? "Rootings and stuffs" does not equate a 10% chance of losing your imei. There is a 0% chance of that happening. There is a 100% chance of that happening if you mess up and explicitly do it yourself, but even that is pretty hard to accomplish.
There are more than enough legitimate cautionary tales and lessons to be learned from this to spread around. Let's not ad not only unnecessary (and incorrect) information needlessly
So spent the last couple of days on a wild goose chase. Long story short, guy's gone.
So, novive me is gonna follow the guides on here. I've skimmed a through a few and would like some clarification before i end up messing this phone up even more.
What "stock rom" should i be looking for?
And for what model in the sense that the phone's model number is G950fd, but the Google play store tags it as g950f. Is that one letter difference important? Did this guy change the model name? Is there a way to double check?
Sorry if I'm coming off as paranoid. I've never done a flash before, nor have i ever been in this kind of situation.
Thanks!
Well, there's still hope. The seller had to possibly tampered with the firmware before giving it away towards you. Advice given before hand about re-flashing the firmware is strongly recommended to double check if everything is correct. You can either use sammobile.com or updato.com whichever you would prefer. since you have the SM-G950FD version, put that model number in the search bar and get the most up-to-date fw you can get. Use ODIN to re-flash the firmware back onto your phone and wait a couple of minutes to see if everything is back to normal. If the baseband and IMEI is still unknown, then we'll have to see another method to get it back to normal. But for now, re-flash the stock firmware.
Edit: Tell me what carrier you're using and i'll supply you with a link to the firmware you need, for now, download ODIN from here if you don't have it yet: https://samsungodin.com/
DaNamesFrank said:
Well, there's still hope. The seller had to possibly tampered with the firmware before giving it away towards you. Advice given before hand about re-flashing the firmware is strongly recommended to double check if everything is correct. You can either use sammobile.com or updato.com whichever you would prefer. since you have the SM-G950FD version, put that model number in the search bar and get the most up-to-date fw you can get. Use ODIN to re-flash the firmware back onto your phone and wait a couple of minutes to see if everything is back to normal. If the baseband and IMEI is still unknown, then we'll have to see another method to get it back to normal. But for now, re-flash the stock firmware.
Edit: Tell me what carrier you're using and i'll supply you with a link to the firmware you need, for now, download ODIN from here if you don't have it yet: https://samsungodin.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I'm going through the available firmwares in the Philippines and they have ones available for the g950fd. They do not have any available for the g950f.
Now, I'm scared bec the Google play store says my phone is NOT a g950fd, and is in fact a g950f. I also don't have a sim2 label on my sim card tray.
Is there a way to double check what model i actually have?
panicMode said:
Ok so I'm going through the available firmwares in the Philippines and they have ones available for the g950fd. They do not have any available for the g950f.
Now, I'm scared bec the Google play store says my phone is NOT a g950fd, and is in fact a g950f. I also don't have a sim2 label on my sim card tray.
Is there a way to double check what model i actually have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings, about phone, model number should be under device name
panicMode said:
So spent the last couple of days on a wild goose chase. Long story short, guy's gone.
So, novive me is gonna follow the guides on here. I've skimmed a through a few and would like some clarification before i end up messing this phone up even more.
What "stock rom" should i be looking for?
And for what model in the sense that the phone's model number is G950fd, but the Google play store tags it as g950f. Is that one letter difference important? Did this guy change the model name? Is there a way to double check?
Sorry if I'm coming off as paranoid. I've never done a flash before, nor have i ever been in this kind of situation.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to find out for sure what phone model you have is to put your phone in download mode. There you'll see your phone number. That's the only accurate way. Anything else it's useless. What Google play store show, what phone number is shown on settings it's irrelevant. The phone model listed by Google play store or on your phone settings can be changed very easy but editing a simple line on build.prop.
Now about your phone. From what you described it's obvious that you have your EFS partition corrupted. Without a backup of your EFS partition you're screwed. You can download and flash whatever firmware you want. It's just a waste of time. Flashing another firmware will not going to fix it. You have a backup of EFS partition? If yes, then it's great. Search for a guide for restoring EFS partition. If not, stop wasting your time. The result can be only one: a very expensive paperweight.
Ah thanks, so according to download mode I indeed have a g950f and not aG950fd - efs professional also shows the same thing
How screwed am I now that:
a. i'm apparently running on firmware that tags the unit as G950fd
b. sammobile doesn't show any G950f firmware for the philippines
c. i have no idea where this phone has been prior to my purchasing it
thanks
panicMode said:
Ah thanks, so according to download mode I indeed have a g950f and not aG950fd - efs professional also shows the same thing
How screwed am I now that:
a. i'm apparently running on firmware that tags the unit as G950fd
b. sammobile doesn't show any G950f firmware for the philippines
c. i have no idea where this phone has been prior to my purchasing it
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing some research, there isn't any philippine fw for the g950f, hence the firmware being g950fd. I'll try to edit more with more info to find.
I am disappointed by all the FUD and paranoid advice in this thread so far.
@panicMode
Install the following app from playstore - Samsung Phone Info
And then post screenshot of each tab. MAKE SURE to hide IMEI and Serial number if visible in any screenshot.
If you are not sure how to do that, then you can PM me the screenshots or your telegram handle to take this conversation private.
There is no need to panic when there are ways to ascertain.
madnav said:
I am disappointed by all the FUD and paranoid advice in this thread so far.
@panicMode
Install the following app from playstore - Samsung Phone Info
And then post screenshot of each tab. MAKE SURE to hide IMEI and Serial number if visible in any screenshot.
If you are not sure how to do that, then you can PM me the screenshots or your telegram handle to take this conversation private.
There is no need to panic when there are ways to ascertain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I buy a device I expect it to have A IEMI also I dont expect to have to fix it myself....
Please next time take this into consideration with your disappointment As Most of the advice in this thread is legitimately correct AS no one should have to Fix it contacting the orig seller and then reflash correct firmware is proper steps.Just because you do not feel it is Does not make it "disappointing"

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