I've been watching the market for a decently priced 32gb version of the Moto X for use on any of the ATT MVNOs (ST/net10/AIO/Red Pocket/GoPhone) and I'm wondering what the experiential difference is between the Dev version and the ATT. Is there bloatware on the ATT model vs the Dev? Does the ATT model receive updates around the same time as the Dev. version? I'm gonna need the 32gb model no matter which I choose.
I know the bootloader is locked on the ATT version, but both can be rooted. I don't care about kernels or roms on this phone; just want to root and install Motoexposed or something like that. I presume I'm going to need the phone (if I can an ATT model) unlocked for use on the MVNOs? Not sure on that one.
Cheers!
i have an unlocked 920t (t-mobile) on att network. should i be using the att section for rooting and roms?
No. Roms are based on your phone model. Stick to the TMobile forums. I know with the S4 the international roms are generally compatible as well so you may check in the General S6 forums, too. Most custom roms list which models are compatible in the OP.
Besides, you won't find much here since the att phones have locked bootloader and no root currently.
great, thanks.
I know I am aware of that most of carrier branded (ATT, Verizon, etc.) all come with locked bootloader, what about international version? is it the same?
also which version of Note 5 you would recommend that does not tights to any of phone companies, but work world-wide, including USA?
jazzespresso said:
I know I am aware of that most of carrier branded (ATT, Verizon, etc.) all come with locked bootloader, what about international version? is it the same?
also which version of Note 5 you would recommend that does not tights to any of phone companies, but work world-wide, including USA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
N920C is the international variant but N920I should also be okay and no, they don't have locked bootloaders.
You can check which variant is best for you by going to this site:
http://willmyphonework.net/
And selecting the device model and your sim provider
Hello, I'm a tmobile customer that just purchased an unlocked galaxy s8 from the Samsung website. I'm wondering if going to the store and getting the tmobile firmware on it installed is really necessary. I mainly want to do this because of the software updates, but then I thought the the unlocked version might get updates from a different source? Am I right? I'm sorry about this being such a general question, but I just want to do what's best for my new phone. Would you recommend me installing this firmware? Or should I just keep the stock unlocked firmware it came with? Are there any drawbacks associated with not installing the tmobile firmware on it?
EDIT:
To start, will Tmobile even do this in the first place? I'm totally clueless whether they offer installing their software on customer phones or not.
Thank you.
Hi there. Unfortunately, you are going to be really hard pressed to find a T-Mobile rep anywhere that could/would flash firmware w/ Odin. Not saying that there aren't some reps out their that don't know about this stuff (there are a lot that really have no clue though), but this is well outside of what most of them are trained for, plus Odin is only supposed to be used by Samsung. Also, historically (at least the last couple of years), for whatever reason Samsung's unlocked US models have been getting updates slower than the carrier versions, which really doesn't make any sense because there is less to go through to get them updated. That being said, there are several threads in the T-Mobile S8 forum here as well as the general S8 forum dedicated to carrier switching, which can guide you in turning your unlocked model into a T-Mobile model, for all intents and purposes.
oscarm003 said:
Hello, I'm a tmobile customer that just purchased an unlocked galaxy s8 from the Samsung website. I'm wondering if going to the store and getting the tmobile firmware on it installed is really necessary. I mainly want to do this because of the software updates, but then I thought the the unlocked version might get updates from a different source? Am I right? I'm sorry about this being such a general question, but I just want to do what's best for my new phone. Would you recommend me installing this firmware? Or should I just keep the stock unlocked firmware it came with? Are there any drawbacks associated with not installing the tmobile firmware on it?
EDIT:
To start, will Tmobile even do this in the first place? I'm totally clueless whether they offer installing their software on customer phones or not.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The guy that replied first is really correct! T-Mobile store won't flash any phone, don't go beyond simple troubleshooting. It is easier to fly to Mars, than talk about flashing a device with rep. I do hope there are some T-Mobile reps that do really know about flashing, but I just haven't seen one yet.
I am with Unlocked S8 and use it on T-Mobile. I don't have any signal specific issues for example and features such as WiFi Calling, Band 12 and VoLTE all work well. There are few thing that flashing to T-Mobile firmware could give you:
Video calling(to specific phones only)
Advanced Messaging(believe other phone needs to support it)
DIGITS service will be built into the phone dialer.
I was also debating about doing it, but all 3 mentioned features are not wildly available and don't work across all devices and networks. On top of that you will get few T-Mobile apps pre-installed + Lookout app + T-Mobile logo when booting up the phone.
We can flash practically anytime we want, so I would suggest you to wait and see how Samsung will treat unlocked devices and how fast updates will arrive. If T-Mobile will do them much better than Samsung, then I will flash myself or when those 3 features above will work across all devices.
Sorry for reviving this thread, but my unlocked s8 gets slower upload and download speeds than my friends tmobile s8, we are both in NYC and he's getting 100mbps and I'm getting 30-40mbps. I assume they also have specific settings hardbaked in their rom that allows for optimized carrier usage?
joey4321 said:
Sorry for reviving this thread, but my unlocked s8 gets slower upload and download speeds than my friends tmobile s8, we are both in NYC and he's getting 100mbps and I'm getting 30-40mbps. I assume they also have specific settings hardbaked in their rom that allows for optimized carrier usage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the t mobile firmware comes with 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. which leads to better signal and faster download speeds.
Can I flash just the modem or CSC to get the benefits without flashing the whole tmobile rom?
joey4321 said:
Can I flash just the modem or CSC to get the benefits without flashing the whole tmobile rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a question I'd like the answer to. I'd like to keep all the Samsung default software features but get RCS, which is the most important thing, and one of the main reasons I'm still using my LG G6.
raduque said:
This is a question I'd like the answer to. I'd like to keep all the Samsung default software features but get RCS, which is the most important thing, and one of the main reasons I'm still using my LG G6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
joey4321 said:
Can I flash just the modem or CSC to get the benefits without flashing the whole tmobile rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think you'll need the whole firmware to be able to use RCS and the tmob features. i personally think the tmob firmware is better since it has 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM enabled. so better signal and service
guaneet said:
4x4 MIMO and 256QAM enabled. so better signal and service
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't care about any of that. I value the Samsung unbranded experience more. All I want from the Tmo FW is RCS.
Alternately, if they ever support it using the unlocked S8 FW, i'll switch back to my S8 in a heartbeat. My G6 seems to get tons better battery life anyway for some reason.
Can someone provide a link to a thread for flashing the Unlocked s8 to T-Mobile?
Thanks.
C3cars said:
Can someone provide a link to a thread for flashing the Unlocked s8 to T-Mobile?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are multiple sections, but I believe you need to look under: Flashing Standard Firmware, but do ask, just in case.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
Charkatak said:
There are multiple sections, but I believe you need to look under: Flashing Standard Firmware, but do ask, just in case.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you have to use the "flashing unlocked firmware" because the prince's version of the ODIN will bypass the ROM checksum and let you flash any variant you want. if you use the normal ODIN and you are going from unlocked to t-mobile (950U1 to 950U) ROM it will fail.
I used to be on the unlocked but now I'm running t-mobile rom to have multi-line baked in to the native dialer. and my service provider SW ver. shows TMB/TMB/XAA
All is good and I'm happy with the ROM after few days the battery life seems the same as the unlocked version.
i just want to know if i can keep the bloatware free and just flash the modem from tmobile firmware.
i just want wifi calling, volte, 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. i dont care much for the multi line feature cause not useful on my end and idk about rcs because the person on the other end needs to have it and i dont really see it as useful.
lol s7 bloatware free firmware was so easy to flash compared to this xD
im running the att variant but im sure all the hardware is the same. so i dont see why the unlocked firmware wouldnt support this out of the box.
ImaUseBT said:
i just want to know if i can keep the bloatware free and just flash the modem from tmobile firmware.
i just want wifi calling, volte, 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. i dont care much for the multi line feature cause not useful on my end and idk about rcs because the person on the other end needs to have it and i dont really see it as useful.
lol s7 bloatware free firmware was so easy to flash compared to this xD
im running the att variant but im sure all the hardware is the same. so i dont see why the unlocked firmware wouldnt support this out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I had my S7 Edge I was able to mix and match different ROM with different modem files ie I would be on the unlocked ROM with the tmobile modem and was able to use the unlocked firmware with t-mobile radios. This is what you want but I have not tried it with the my S8 you can try if it dont work use the prince's ODIN to take you back to stock.
kdoweb1 said:
When I had my S7 Edge I was able to mix and match different ROM with different modem files ie I would be on the unlocked ROM with the tmobile modem and was able to use the unlocked firmware with t-mobile radios. This is what you want but I have not tried it with the my S8 you can try if it dont work use the prince's ODIN to take you back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea thats what ive been doing. i just want a blotware free phone but use the tmo features apart from multi line. i just flashed the u1 firmware now so lets see what happens
ImaUseBT said:
yea thats what ive been doing. i just want a blotware free phone but use the tmo features apart from multi line. i just flashed the u1 firmware now so lets see what happens
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you will have wifi calling and volte but not 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. i think MIMO is activated in the modem itself.
kdoweb1 said:
I believe you will have wifi calling and volte but not 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. i think MIMO is activated in the modem itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm i could try to flash the tmobile modem onto this firmware. but yea i do have volte and wifi calling. idk how to check for 4x4 mimo and 256qam
kdoweb1 said:
I believe you have to use the "flashing unlocked firmware" because the prince's version of the ODIN will bypass the ROM checksum and let you flash any variant you want. if you use the normal ODIN and you are going from unlocked to t-mobile (950U1 to 950U) ROM it will fail.
I used to be on the unlocked but now I'm running t-mobile rom to have multi-line baked in to the native dialer. and my service provider SW ver. shows TMB/TMB/XAA
All is good and I'm happy with the ROM after few days the battery life seems the same as the unlocked version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't "flashing unlocked firmware" means that you have a carrier provided phone and want to flash unlocked firmware on it?
Charkatak said:
Isn't "flashing unlocked firmware" means that you have a carrier provided phone and want to flash unlocked firmware on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, but it also works the other way around. Anytime you want to change variant you must use the modified version of ODIN as it bypass the checksum or the flash will fail.
Thanks Peeps!
Most posts I am seeing about unlocking bootloader and custom roms are for XT1921-5. I cannot seem to find this phone anywhere. Is this the USA variant? The closest I have found is the XT1921-3 (Boost Mobile) variant here
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-...mory-cell-phone-black/6221728.p?skuId=6221728
Would I able to bootloader unlock and install custom roms on this? I'm looking for a backup phone that has LTE 2,4,5,12,13,17,25,26,41,66 bands and this one is perfect but I need to know if I will be able to unlock bootloader and install custom rom.
I can't find any good information about the different variants and what models support what bands and which models can be rooted.
Any help is much appreciated, thanks
Knuxyl said:
Most posts I am seeing about unlocking bootloader and custom roms are for XT1921-5. I cannot seem to find this phone anywhere. Is this the USA variant? The closest I have found is the XT1921-3 (Boost Mobile) variant here
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-...mory-cell-phone-black/6221728.p?skuId=6221728
Would I able to bootloader unlock and install custom roms on this? I'm looking for a backup phone that has LTE 2,4,5,12,13,17,25,26,41,66 bands and this one is perfect but I need to know if I will be able to unlock bootloader and install custom rom.
I can't find any good information about the different variants and what models support what bands and which models can be rooted.
Any help is much appreciated, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just doing "get a free phone from MetroPCS" due diligence so I don't have the phone in hand, but it looks like the XT1921-3 is actually the T-Mobile/MetroPCS (USA) version, which has been problematic for ppl. Good news is that it now has a factory image available (see thread here, although no clear reports on that yet . . . one seems to imply there was a problem with it, but I'm not totally clear).
So I'm not by any means an expert on Motorola firmware, but I'd be surprised if Boost (CDMA, right?) had the same model # as T-Mobile (GSM)--and I'm a little overtired but didn't see any note of the Motorola model # on the Best Buy link you provide.
In any case, not sure about bands and such, but hope that tidbit helps a little, in case you do in fact need something for the T-Mobile variant (-3), or if it's the same as Boost and I'm just a moron.
1921-2is cricket
Sent from my e5 cruise using XDA Labs
1921-e5
I have this model from boost 1921-e5