what note9 model should i get or is compatible? - Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers

hi, i want to get a 512GB note9 for use with spectrum mobile, they're a small mvno carrier that uses the verizon network. i think the CSC code for spectrum is "CHA" because they are owned by charter.
the carrier is stupid and can't tell me what models they will accept, or how to ensure all the features like wifi calling are supported, they keep asking for an IMEI to check it, and i don't have one because I haven't bought the damn phone yet... and buying one directly from them is overpriced.
what do you think is the best model for me to buy? i might want to root someday if it ever becomes possible, but for now i just want to use oreo, block the pieUI and bootloader updates, and prevent knox from tripping to preserve any warranty.
some extra concerns are:
#1 i see a lot of people complaining that unlocked phones from samsung.com & bestbuy don't support wifi calling, and neither do the international ones.
#2 if i buy an international version phone from amazon, supposedly I won't have any warranty???
#3 would a carrier refuse to activate a phone if it's not from my region? (usa)
thanks!

The SM-N960U1 is the US unlocked version, with the same hardware as all the other US variants, and the reason it is different than the international version is the international version is built with the Samsung/Exynos SOC which is GSM only, while the Qualcomm/Snapdragon hardware variant must be used for the USA because of Sprint/Verizon (CDMA). The USA version is what you must get to support the CDMA bands (international version will not work on the Verizon network). And You will be not only at the mercy of what Verizon only allows, but also Spectrum, which uses the Verizon network. It's very unlikely you will get wifi calling, but you may get data during calls. I bought my unlocked USA version SM-N960U1 brand new from ebay for $635 about three weeks ago. If you buy a US variant that is carrier specific AND not unlocked by that carrier, you may not be able to use it on any carrier except the one it is locked to.
https://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9/945781-unlocked-note-9-verizon.html
also..... Pie runs BEAUTIFULLY out of the box (do all the incremental security updates then Oreo>Pie before installing any apps). Night Mode (native dark UI) is very nice too. ..... and I agree, Spectum sucks.

i have seen lots of people complaining that they didn't like the pie update because of oneUI, it breaks the camera pro-mode, removes the video taking button, removes the minimize taskbar button, makes split-screen mode harder to use, and it wastes half of the screen in the menus, lots of complaints like that.
the wasting of half the screen seems pretty stupid to me, because the whole idea of this phone is to have a big useful screen. i don't think its going to make it any easier to control with a thumb just by removing half the items from the screen it just means now you have to do a bunch of scrolling to find what you wanted. am i wrong, or what is your experience with it?
i have also heard that if you let the phone update, the bootloader version will increment and that prevents you from ever re-flashing oreo again, and like it or not you'll be stuck with pie forever. so i'm really hesitant to even try pie out to see if i like using it or not.

dumbfone said:
i have seen lots of people complaining that they didn't like the pie update because of oneUI, it breaks the camera pro-mode, removes the video taking button, removes the minimize taskbar button, makes split-screen mode harder to use, and it wastes half of the screen in the menus, lots of complaints like that.
the wasting of half the screen seems pretty stupid to me, because the whole idea of this phone is to have a big useful screen. i don't think its going to make it any easier to control with a thumb just by removing half the items from the screen it just means now you have to do a bunch of scrolling to find what you wanted. am i wrong, or what is your experience with it?
i have also heard that if you let the phone update, the bootloader version will increment and that prevents you from ever re-flashing oreo again, and like it or not you'll be stuck with pie forever. so i'm really hesitant to even try pie out to see if i like using it or not.
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I read a few issues too, and so when I got the phone, some here said people who factory reset after update, or update right after setup before installing apps have no problems. That's what I did, and I have no problems. Not one thing yet have I discovered is not working as designed.
I write and test software and I trust that Samsung releases good software. They cannot test with everyone's weird setups, but they do test with clean setups, and they wouldn't have released if it was as bad as people claim. As long as you update before installing anything or factory reset after install, you'll have a great running system like Samsung tests on.
I've installed many apps since. All good.
Also extremely impressed with battery performance. I use this phone a lot, and my S7 on Oreo would often be at 10% by the end of the day. Note 9 on Pie doesn't go below 50%

Related

Anyone else on Sprint? No APN settings?

Anyone else running the G5S+ on Sprint? It's working fairly well for me other than a couple of IPv6/IPv4 connection issues. However, is it normal for Cellular network settings to not include any kind of APN settings/options? We have six different devices on our family Sprint account -- Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, Samsung Galaxy S3, iPhone 7, iPhone 6+, and now the G5S+. All of the other devices have a way to edit the APN settings, even when running the stock, unrooted ROM. I'm waiting to root my G5S+ until after an official Oreo update. Is this a limitation of the stock ROM?
My concern is mostly for when I travel out of the country. I know from past experience I'll need to be able to select the proper APN to get the best connectivity, but I've also needed to select the correct APN locally sometimes like when my phone(s) freak out and only connect to the CDMA_0 APN so I'm stuck on 3G.
internetpilot said:
Anyone else running the G5S+ on Sprint? It's working fairly well for me other than a couple of IPv6/IPv4 connection issues. However, is it normal for Cellular network settings to not include any kind of APN settings/options? We have six different devices on our family Sprint account -- Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, Samsung Galaxy S3, iPhone 7, iPhone 6+, and now the G5S+. All of the other devices have a way to edit the APN settings, even when running the stock, unrooted ROM. I'm waiting to root my G5S+ until after an official Oreo update. Is this a limitation of the stock ROM?
My concern is mostly for when I travel out of the country. I know from past experience I'll need to be able to select the proper APN to get the best connectivity, but I've also needed to select the correct APN locally sometimes like when my phone(s) freak out and only connect to the CDMA_0 APN so I'm stuck on 3G.
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There should be, even on stock. Might be a problem with the sim - contact Sprint for help
Phazmos said:
There should be, even on stock. Might be a problem with the sim - contact Sprint for help
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Oh, I already have contacted Sprint several times, and had the SIM switched out 3x now. This is a different type of Sprint SIM than I had in my Nexus 6. I think it's probably going to require root and modifying the build.prop or even a custom ROM, which I don't really want to do until the Oreo OTA comes out or at least a much more stable custom ROM than what we have now for this phone.
The Sprint network has gotten a little weird. First this new 3-in-one SIM, which seems to have locked-down APN settings, and then this phone also only has an IPv6 IP#, which is causing a couple problems with monitoring my IP security cameras at both my homes (neither of my ISP's are fully on IPv6 yet), but also even Google Weather and the Android Wear Play Store won't connect on my Asus ZenWatch 3 paired through this phone and only using mobile data. If I connect the phone to wifi (anywhere -- home, public, etc.), the IP cameras, Google Weather, and Wear Play Store all work fine. It's just bizarre that Sprint isn't running a dual stack IPv4/IPv6 network until everything is IPv6. Most things work fine on my phone -- regular Play Store, Netflix, all social media, and even TeamViewer and Plex, which both are hosted the same IPv4 networks that have the IPv4 security cameras . I guess it's because all these other services are running some kind of dual stack configuration at their end, but I'm very surprised that Google Weather and the Wear Play Store apparently is not.
I've yet to find anyone else who is using this phone on Sprint to confirm that they're encountering the same thing I am.
internetpilot said:
Oh, I already have contacted Sprint several times, and had the SIM switched out 3x now. This is a different type of Sprint SIM than I had in my Nexus 6. I think it's probably going to require root and modifying the build.prop or even a custom ROM, which I don't really want to do until the Oreo OTA comes out or at least a much more stable custom ROM than what we have now for this phone.
The Sprint network has gotten a little weird. First this new 3-in-one SIM, which seems to have locked-down APN settings, and then this phone also only has an IPv6 IP#, which is causing a couple problems with monitoring my IP security cameras at both my homes (neither of my ISP's are fully on IPv6 yet), but also even Google Weather and the Android Wear Play Store won't connect on my Asus ZenWatch 3 paired through this phone and only using mobile data. If I connect the phone to wifi (anywhere -- home, public, etc.), the IP cameras, Google Weather, and Wear Play Store all work fine. It's just bizarre that Sprint isn't running a dual stack IPv4/IPv6 network until everything is IPv6. Most things work fine on my phone -- regular Play Store, Netflix, all social media, and even TeamViewer and Plex, which both are hosted the same IPv4 networks that have the IPv4 security cameras . I guess it's because all these other services are running some kind of dual stack configuration at their end, but I'm very surprised that Google Weather and the Wear Play Store apparently is not.
I've yet to find anyone else who is using this phone on Sprint to confirm that they're encountering the same thing I am.
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I'm glad I never used Sprint, mainly cuz I've heard of so many problems with them over the years, and where I am it's basically att or Verizon if ya want any kind of coverage (rural + mountains = shirty cell coverage). Did you get the phone from Sprint? I'm wondering if it's locked down for Sprint - last time I used a locked down device was about 6 years ago. I always thought apns were handled by the os, but if it's locked down, it could be handled by the sim. Now I'm curious - what would happen if you popped in a sim from one of those other devices that do work?
Unlock, root and roms - not many available right now (new devices always take a while - especially if uptake is slow), but what's out there now are pretty much stable enough for daily use. This device is supposed to get Oreo, but probably not till sometime next year (I'm not running it yet but only cuz the features I want aren't there yet). Ipv6 implementation - lol - I've worked with a few network engineers over the years and when the talk of ipv6 started up, they went crazy. Implementing it, even on a small scale isn't an easy thing, imagine on a nation wide, or world wide scale. It started about 5 years ago, and it'll probably take another 5+ before everything is compatible. Anyway, I ramble - good luck , I do hope it gets sorted out for ya!
Phazmos said:
I'm glad I never used Sprint, mainly cuz I've heard of so many problems with them over the years, and where I am it's basically att or Verizon if ya want any kind of coverage (rural + mountains = shirty cell coverage). Did you get the phone from Sprint? I'm wondering if it's locked down for Sprint - last time I used a locked down device was about 6 years ago. I always thought apns were handled by the os, but if it's locked down, it could be handled by the sim. Now I'm curious - what would happen if you popped in a sim from one of those other devices that do work?
Unlock, root and roms - not many available right now (new devices always take a while - especially if uptake is slow), but what's out there now are pretty much stable enough for daily use. This device is supposed to get Oreo, but probably not till sometime next year (I'm not running it yet but only cuz the features I want aren't there yet). Ipv6 implementation - lol - I've worked with a few network engineers over the years and when the talk of ipv6 started up, they went crazy. Implementing it, even on a small scale isn't an easy thing, imagine on a nation wide, or world wide scale. It started about 5 years ago, and it'll probably take another 5+ before everything is compatible. Anyway, I ramble - good luck , I do hope it gets sorted out for ya!
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No, it's a carrier independent unlocked phone that I bought from BestBuy.com (because they offered the best price for the 64gb version through a Cyber Monday sale). Except for the iPhone (and maybe the newer Samsung models), Sprint phones don't have removable SIMs -- they're built-in to the phone making them a special Sprint-only phone. That's the way my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 was. After my Note 2, I bought an unlocked Google (Motorola) Nexus 6 and used a SIM to use it on Sprint (and had access to APN setting as soon as I activated the phone), but that SIM isn't compatible with the G5S+ even though they're both Motorola phones, have the same radios, etc. I'm pretty sure my current problem is the SIM, but I don't think it's unsolvable. I just think I'll need to root and mod or ROM the device to get access to those settings. I know this is one of Sprint's newest SIMs (they have like 22 different SIMs), so I'm sure this is just another attempt by Sprint to lock down unlocked carrier independent phones on their network to help reduce excessive roaming (on Verizon towers) which costs Sprint money.
I've been on Sprint for like 15 years. The only reason I stayed on them is because the others aren't really any better, and Sprint is the only one who truly offers unlimited everything (which is really good to have for a family of six). Starting like 3 years ago (when Sprint and Samsung abruptly abandoned the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 rather early), I refused to buy Sprint locked-down phones because they require to sign another 2 year contract commitment. Whereas right now if Sprint ticks me off (like they did a couple of years ago when they sent me a $500 bill for "free" international roaming), I can just immediately drop them and move on with no penalty and even take my phone with me.
This is the first Android phone I've owned that I haven't immediately rooted. I even rooted all my family's locked Sprint phones. There just isn't much support for this phone from 3rd-party devs (yet or maybe ever since it's just a "special edition" upgrade?), so I really want that OTA Oreo update in place before I root it. I came pretty close to immediately rooting this phone, but then decided not to when saw some people had problems getting it back to stock enough to take the OTAs from Moto. I actually like the Moto Android (along with a heavily themed Nova launcher) experience enough to not feel the overwhelming need for a custom ROM, so about the only thing I really want root for is to get a better camera app (preferably Google Camera), wifi tethering, and Titanium Backup. I'm even getting used to the stock Moto camera app, so I'm not really feeling the pressing need for the Google Camera as much. I wouldn't mind getting LineageOS 15 on here, but there isn't an official version and it doesn't seem very stable yet on any device. I tend to keep my phones for a while (three years for my Nexus 6 and Note 2), so I tend to outlast most 3rd-party dev ROM support, which is why I tend to just go with LineageOS (and before that CyanogenMod) which doesn't just vanish one day like individual dev ROMs do. We'll see what happens. Hopefully this phone will start seeing more developer activity. I was originally going to get the Moto G5+, which does have a lot more dev support, but considering how long I tend to keep phones, it didn't make sense not to buy the latest/greatest version.
I'm sure it will all eventually work out. Worst case scenario is that during a European vacation next Summer I won't be able to take full advantage of Sprint's free low speed international data roaming and texting, but even then I can always just grab a local PAYG SIM and use it.
internetpilot said:
No, it's a carrier independent unlocked phone that I bought from BestBuy.com (because they offered the best price for the 64gb version through a Cyber Monday sale). Except for the iPhone (and maybe the newer Samsung models), Sprint phones don't have removable SIMs -- they're built-in to the phone making them a special Sprint-only phone. That's the way my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 was. After my Note 2, I bought an unlocked Google (Motorola) Nexus 6 and used a SIM to use it on Sprint (and had access to APN setting as soon as I activated the phone), but that SIM isn't compatible with the G5S+ even though they're both Motorola phones, have the same radios, etc. I'm pretty sure my current problem is the SIM, but I don't think it's unsolvable. I just think I'll need to root and mod or ROM the device to get access to those settings. I know this is one of Sprint's newest SIMs (they have like 22 different SIMs), so I'm sure this is just another attempt by Sprint to lock down unlocked carrier independent phones on their network to help reduce excessive roaming (on Verizon towers) which costs Sprint money.
I've been on Sprint for like 15 years. The only reason I stayed on them is because the others aren't really any better, and Sprint is the only one who truly offers unlimited everything (which is really good to have for a family of six). Starting like 3 years ago (when Sprint and Samsung abruptly abandoned the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 rather early), I refused to buy Sprint locked-down phones because they require to sign another 2 year contract commitment. Whereas right now if Sprint ticks me off (like they did a couple of years ago when they sent me a $500 bill for "free" international roaming), I can just immediately drop them and move on with no penalty and even take my phone with me.
This is the first Android phone I've owned that I haven't immediately rooted. I even rooted all my family's locked Sprint phones. There just isn't much support for this phone from 3rd-party devs (yet or maybe ever since it's just a "special edition" upgrade?), so I really want that OTA Oreo update in place before I root it. I came pretty close to immediately rooting this phone, but then decided not to when saw some people had problems getting it back to stock enough to take the OTAs from Moto. I actually like the Moto Android (along with a heavily themed Nova launcher) experience enough to not feel the overwhelming need for a custom ROM, so about the only thing I really want root for is to get a better camera app (preferably Google Camera), wifi tethering, and Titanium Backup. I'm even getting used to the stock Moto camera app, so I'm not really feeling the pressing need for the Google Camera as much. I wouldn't mind getting LineageOS 15 on here, but there isn't an official version and it doesn't seem very stable yet on any device. I tend to keep my phones for a while (three years for my Nexus 6 and Note 2), so I tend to outlast most 3rd-party dev ROM support, which is why I tend to just go with LineageOS (and before that CyanogenMod) which doesn't just vanish one day like individual dev ROMs do. We'll see what happens. Hopefully this phone will start seeing more developer activity. I was originally going to get the Moto G5+, which does have a lot more dev support, but considering how long I tend to keep phones, it didn't make sense not to buy the latest/greatest version.
I'm sure it will all eventually work out. Worst case scenario is that during a European vacation next Summer I won't be able to take full advantage of Sprint's free low speed international data roaming and texting, but even then I can always just grab a local PAYG SIM and use it.
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I've been following the few thread there are on this phone since I got it (about a month now), and others have had the same (no apn settings or can't change them) issue, but I just figured it was noob issues as I've always modified the apn and never had a problem, on stock or any of the roms available now, and I've tried them all. I'm an old tech guy (in age and computer experience - took my first computer class in 77) and at this point it's in my blood and I'm to old to change my ways! Still curious though - what do ya mean by the by sim wasn't compatible? Granted I'm on straight talk, but been using the same SIM - starting with the n5, then 6p, now g5s plus - I just cut it down to size when it went to the micro format. I to hope to see more work for this thing. Almost makes me want to get back into building again (been like 6+ years since I built a rom) but I just don't want to spend the time, which I don't really have anyway. I thought about the g5+, but I can't go back to a smaller screen. Yeah it wasn't much smaller, and has same cpu, and probably a better camera, but this pig will do. And with finger print actions and expanded desktop, screen is the same size as my 6p (which I was extremely happy with till the big cores shirt the bed - still running though). Wish the camera was as good, but if I really want to take a good picture, I have my nikon d5100 (hacked of course)!
Again, good luck, I'm sure you'll get it fingered out eventually!
Phazmos said:
I've been following the few thread there are on this phone since I got it (about a month now), and others have had the same (no apn settings or can't change them) issue, but I just figured it was noob issues as I've always modified the apn and never had a problem, on stock or any of the roms available now, and I've tried them all. I'm an old tech guy (in age and computer experience - took my first computer class in 77) and at this point it's in my blood and I'm to old to change my ways! Still curious though - what do ya mean by the by sim wasn't compatible? Granted I'm on straight talk, but been using the same SIM - starting with the n5, then 6p, now g5s plus - I just cut it down to size when it went to the micro format. I to hope to see more work for this thing. Almost makes me want to get back into building again (been like 6+ years since I built a rom) but I just don't want to spend the time, which I don't really have anyway. I thought about the g5+, but I can't go back to a smaller screen. Yeah it wasn't much smaller, and has same cpu, and probably a better camera, but this pig will do. And with finger print actions and expanded desktop, screen is the same size as my 6p (which I was extremely happy with till the big cores shirt the bed - still running though). Wish the camera was as good, but if I really want to take a good picture, I have my nikon d5100 (hacked of course)!
Again, good luck, I'm sure you'll get it fingered out eventually!
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25-year career network engineer here myself -- I was on the internet since before it was called the internet (I guess "world wide web" didn't sound as kewl ). At this point in my life, I don't find technology as "fascinating" as I used to, and I pretty much just want it to work for me right out of the box. I know, I know...pipe dream. What's annoying for me is that I know this is a Sprint SIM/network issue (especially the IPv6 part), but to actually communicate with someone who even understands my questions is impossible because they're not working the help desk chat lines. Oh, well...I could go on and on with all kinds of funny stories, but the short of it is that I usually just fix my issues myself.
By the SIM being incompatible I mean just that. I took the SIM out of my Nexus 6 (which I loved, especially the camera -- broke my heart when it started randomly rebooting after 3 years of faithful service) and popped it in the G5S+ and it said "Incompatible SIM" and wouldn't register on the Sprint network. So, I took it to a corporate Sprint store (where I got the SIM for the Nexus 6) and thankfully a very knowledgeable employee was there, who said, "Yep, the G5S+ takes a specific model number of nano SIM." He popped that specific SIM in the G5S+, and it pretty much came right up on the Sprint network without an issue except for the APN thing and the IPv6 thing (which I discovered later). I have spoken with a mid-level Sprint network tech who told me that the whole IPv6 isn't my SIM as much as it's when I added that SIM and phone to the Sprint network. He said all new phones after a certain date are only getting IPv6. They supposedly were going to do something to my account that forced me back on IPv4, but it didn't actually work. They also said that it would only be for a few months anyway, because they're planning on converting everyone over very soon.
This phone is 1/2" smaller than my Nexus 6, but I actually like that. I feel like I'm on a tiny phone again...haha. Anyone I tell that to quickly points out that my G5S+ is a huge phone. I didn't think I'd like the fingerprint scanner, but I really do. I also thought I'd miss the dual front speakers on the Nexus 6, but I don't really even notice it since this speaker is so loud. I do miss the Nexus 6 camera which was superb, but I'm actually getting the hang of the G5S+ camera. I'm finding myself using the "professional" (manual) mode feature a lot, but I only change the ISO to 200 and leave everything else automatic and the pictures are vastly improved. If Moto would just provide an update that would allow post-processing to be turned off, it might actually be a very good camera. I too have a couple of really nice dedicate digital cameras that can take care of anything I really need in higher end photography or video. I've always only used my phone camera because I always have it with me. For tourist stuff, family events, etc., I always bring my real camera(s) anyway.
I've created my own custom ROMs and kernels before, but it's always just been modifying or adding to someone else's work, so I just used it myself and never released it here on XDA or anything. Depending on how things go for others, I might try doing my own LineageOS builds, but I'd much rather see an official build get going for this phone and just use that. But I said, I really don't mind that stock Moto ROM that much. It's pretty much vanilla Android, and once I root it a lot of the little customizations that go into most ROMs could probably be applied to the stock ROM in the form of a mod. We'll see.
Thanks again for the replies and commiserations!
internetpilot said:
25-year career network engineer here myself -- I was on the internet since before it was called the internet (I guess "world wide web" didn't sound as kewl ). At this point in my life, I don't find technology as "fascinating" as I used to, and I pretty much just want it to work for me right out of the box. I know, I know...pipe dream. What's annoying for me is that I know this is a Sprint SIM/network issue (especially the IPv6 part), but to actually communicate with someone who even understands my questions is impossible because they're not working the help desk chat lines. Oh, well...I could go on and on with all kinds of funny stories, but the short of it is that I usually just fix my issues myself.
By the SIM being incompatible I mean just that. I took the SIM out of my Nexus 6 (which I loved, especially the camera -- broke my heart when it started randomly rebooting after 3 years of faithful service) and popped it in the G5S+ and it said "Incompatible SIM" and wouldn't register on the Sprint network. So, I took it to a corporate Sprint store (where I got the SIM for the Nexus 6) and thankfully a very knowledgeable employee was there, who said, "Yep, the G5S+ takes a specific model number of nano SIM." He popped that specific SIM in the G5S+, and it pretty much came right up on the Sprint network without an issue except for the APN thing and the IPv6 thing (which I discovered later). I have spoken with a mid-level Sprint network tech who told me that the whole IPv6 isn't my SIM as much as it's when I added that SIM and phone to the Sprint network. He said all new phones after a certain date are only getting IPv6. They supposedly were going to do something to my account that forced me back on IPv4, but it didn't actually work. They also said that it would only be for a few months anyway, because they're planning on converting everyone over very soon.
This phone is 1/2" smaller than my Nexus 6, but I actually like that. I feel like I'm on a tiny phone again...haha. Anyone I tell that to quickly points out that my G5S+ is a huge phone. I didn't think I'd like the fingerprint scanner, but I really do. I also thought I'd miss the dual front speakers on the Nexus 6, but I don't really even notice it since this speaker is so loud. I do miss the Nexus 6 camera which was superb, but I'm actually getting the hang of the G5S+ camera. I'm finding myself using the "professional" (manual) mode feature a lot, but I only change the ISO to 200 and leave everything else automatic and the pictures are vastly improved. If Moto would just provide an update that would allow post-processing to be turned off, it might actually be a very good camera. I too have a couple of really nice dedicate digital cameras that can take care of anything I really need in higher end photography or video. I've always only used my phone camera because I always have it with me. For tourist stuff, family events, etc., I always bring my real camera(s) anyway.
I've created my own custom ROMs and kernels before, but it's always just been modifying or adding to someone else's work, so I just used it myself and never released it here on XDA or anything. Depending on how things go for others, I might try doing my own LineageOS builds, but I'd much rather see an official build get going for this phone and just use that. But I said, I really don't mind that stock Moto ROM that much. It's pretty much vanilla Android, and once I root it a lot of the little customizations that go into most ROMs could probably be applied to the stock ROM in the form of a mod. We'll see.
Thanks again for the replies and commiserations!
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Click to collapse
Lmfao - I know exactly how ya feel! I "retired" about 5 years ago, but people ask what did for a living and I say computers - then the questions start coming. I don't mind really, but I'm more thrilled by hitting a good golf shot than talking computers again. Now when they ask what I do I say , play golf! And leave it at that. Still, I just can't help myself when it comes to noobs - I still help folks out when I can, although my patience is much shorter than it used to be. It still amazes me how people do things without knowing their arse from a hole in the wall (xda has become pretty much a source of amusement for me nowadays). I did the same with roms, never went public with any - mostly cuz I didn't have the patience for stupid questions about things I've explained clearly. Some just don't appreciate the humor in giving a stupid answer to a stupid question! Oh well! Really most roms out there have more bloat than a stock rom - way too many "features" I'll never use - all I need is date in status bar (why this isn't a stock feature is beyond me), status bar brightness (auto brightness is always either to bright or to dim) and keyboard cursor control - anything more is useless and if I don't use it, I don't want it. I like things lean and mean. Really the main reason I root is to load a custom hosts file, I've been ad free for too long to start seeing them now. I thought about the n6 when it came out, but I only had the n5 for a year and wasn't ready to upgrade and 6 in did sound big (shamu was a perfect name for it). Of course I did jump on the 6p when it came out, and loved it, now I can't do anything smaller than 5.5 (that may be more a comment on eyes that are almost 60 yrs old though). At this stage, bigger is definitely better! And look at that, I ramble again (nothing on the golf channel so I run on). Anyway, pleasure chatting - and best of luck with the issue - sounds like it'll be short lived. And may be with the trouble - it is a decent device, plenty of power for most uses (only slowness I see is working big spreads in open office) and with my usage 10+ hrs of screen on time is easy to hit and have something like 20% battery left. A good deal for the $$ spent. Enjoy!
Okay, after looking into it more, here's what I think is happening/going to happen. I found a dial code that got me to a really good phone information screen (*#*#4636#*#*). I also found a site that stated country by country the compatibility of the US version of this phone when used internationally. It can pretty much get 4G in just about every country, so the Sprint international roaming feature should at least get me 2G, which is all they advertise anyway. Through the above dial code, I can choose from a lot longer list of Preferred Network Types, including GSM only, GSM/WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, etc. When I select these, it tries unsuccessfully to connect to that network type, and when it can't it just reverts back to LTE/CDMA (the Sprint default). I think that the APN option won't show up on the menu until I successfully connect to a network other than Sprint's. I'll find out next Summer as we're planning on going to Europe. At least I now know for sure that this phone can operated internationally just fine, so I can always go the PAYG SIM route. I looked into it on previous trips with my Nexus 6, and there are travel websites that tell you exactly the best SIM service to get for each country.
Otherwise, like I said, it seems to be working fine on Sprint. On my Nexus 6 I would have problems with it switching APNs on me from the Sprint LTE APN to the one of the 3G CDMA APNs so I'd lose 4G LTE service until I switched it back. I haven't had that problem with my G5S+ so far, so I haven't "needed" the APN option in the menus yet. Hopefully I won't. I'm about to go from Virginia to Florida for the Christmas holidays, so it will be interesting to see how things work in a different location. Sprint service at my Florida house isn't exactly stellar (none of the providers are), so it should be a good test of this phone and the lack of access to APN settings.
Updating this thread for any other poor sap with a G5S+ on Sprint (haha). Actually, it's all working out fine.
The IPv6 issues really are app related issues. I've definitely researched any of my own problem apps, but even looked into some other reported problem apps that I don't use (Pokemon Go, WeChat, etc.) and every single one of the apps or their respective servers are simply not IPv6 compliant. There are some things that Moto and Sprint could have done to make these IPv6 app issues never rear their ugly head, but that's not really Sprint's or Moto's problem to solve. All these developers need to do is make their app IPv6 compliant like the vast majority of all other apps are (actually, all iPhone App Store apps were mandated to be IPv6 compliant by June 2016).
As for the APN settings issues (lack thereof), I figured out how to get access to the APN settings by way of (believe it or not) my youngest son's iPhone 7. It's apparently common knowledge for more techie iPhone users (believe it or not, there are some techie iPhone users) to use the *#*#Data#*#* dial code to get a much more extensive mobile data settings menu, which does include APN settings. This is a very good thing since the day after I came down to my Florida house for Christmas vacation, my G5S+ kept getting stuck on 3G, and wouldn't ever get a LTE signal even though there is one here (relatively weak, but it's still here). So I used that dial code to get access to the APN settings, and immediately noticed it was using some CDMA/ehrpd APN instead of the usual n.ispn LTE APN. So, I changed it back to n.ispn and the phone immediately latched on to a LTE signal and tends to keep it fairly well throughout my Florida house, actually better than my previous few phones did.
So, I'd have to say all's well that ends well on this whole thing. Hope this helps anyone else using this phone on Sprint (although it looks like I may be the only one on XDA).
internetpilot said:
Updating this thread for any other poor sap with a G5S+ on Sprint (haha). Actually, it's all working out fine.
The IPv6 issues really are app related issues. I've definitely researched any of my own problem apps, but even looked into some other reported problem apps that I don't use (Pokemon Go, WeChat, etc.) and every single one of the apps or their respective servers are simply not IPv6 compliant. There are some things that Moto and Sprint could have done to make these IPv6 app issues never rear their ugly head, but that's not really Sprint's or Moto's problem to solve. All these developers need to do is make their app IPv6 compliant like the vast majority of all other apps are (actually, all iPhone App Store apps were mandated to be IPv6 compliant by June 2016).
As for the APN settings issues (lack thereof), I figured out how to get access to the APN settings by way of (believe it or not) my youngest son's iPhone 7. It's apparently common knowledge for more techie iPhone users (believe it or not, there are some techie iPhone users) to use the *#*#Data#*#* dial code to get a much more extensive mobile data settings menu, which does include APN settings. This is a very good thing since the day after I came down to my Florida house for Christmas vacation, my G5S+ kept getting stuck on 3G, and wouldn't ever get a LTE signal even though there is one here (relatively weak, but it's still here). So I used that dial code to get access to the APN settings, and immediately noticed it was using some CDMA/ehrpd APN instead of the usual n.ispn LTE APN. So, I changed it back to n.ispn and the phone immediately latched on to a LTE signal and tends to keep it fairly well throughout my Florida house, actually better than my previous few phones did.
So, I'd have to say all's well that ends well on this whole thing. Hope this helps anyone else using this phone on Sprint (although it looks like I may be the only one on XDA).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok yes I'm on Sprint. So I can get to those apn settings but I can't add an apn.. exactly how do you do that.. Yes I can edit the only existing one just can't add any.
edit APN settings for IPV4
also posted here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...ing-ipv4-address-sprint-t3747256#post76243857
First please forgive this post if it is not helpful, I didn't see a solution and came up with something that worked for me, so hope it will help others.
Problem: On my Moto XT1806 GS5+ I was getting no IPV4 connectivity only IPV6 (tested with app: Ping & Net by Ulf Dittmer from the play store).
The main issue this caused was that I couldn't view my security cameras via Sprint's network., It would only show cameras on my home WIFI.
To verify I used Ping & Net to try to ping google.com. The app gives you the option to use IPV4 or IPV6, as you can guess IPV6 succeeded and IPV4 gave no results at all.
With some guesswork I did the following to fix this:
Solution:
open dialer and typed *#*#DATA#*#* or *#*#3282#*#* selected apn settings then internet.
at the top right tap the 3 dots and select edit this prompted me to enter a passcode which after several guesses ended up being 6 zeros "000000". (maybe this is in the instructions somewhere? Don't know didn't look, kinda figured it would be posted already if it was).
then I was able to change the APN NI from x.ispsn to n.ispsn.
Waited a few seconds, turned on airplane mode and then turned it back off and then I was on 3G with IPV4. It would be even better if it was LTE with IPV4, I will continue to experiment, or maybe someone can step in and save me the trouble. maybe cinet.spcs?
Anyway it works for now as a workaround and I can look at my security cameras away from home again, hooray.
gravityecho said:
also posted here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...ing-ipv4-address-sprint-t3747256#post76243857
First please forgive this post if it is not helpful, I didn't see a solution and came up with something that worked for me, so hope it will help others.
Problem: On my Moto XT1806 GS5+ I was getting no IPV4 connectivity only IPV6 (tested with app: Ping & Net by Ulf Dittmer from the play store).
The main issue this caused was that I couldn't view my security cameras via Sprint's network., It would only show cameras on my home WIFI.
To verify I used Ping & Net to try to ping google.com. The app gives you the option to use IPV4 or IPV6, as you can guess IPV6 succeeded and IPV4 gave no results at all.
With some guesswork I did the following to fix this:
Solution:
open dialer and typed *#*#DATA#*#* or *#*#3282#*#* selected apn settings then internet.
at the top right tap the 3 dots and select edit this prompted me to enter a passcode which after several guesses ended up being 6 zeros "000000". (maybe this is in the instructions somewhere? Don't know didn't look, kinda figured it would be posted already if it was).
then I was able to change the APN NI from x.ispsn to n.ispsn.
Waited a few seconds, turned on airplane mode and then turned it back off and then I was on 3G with IPV4. It would be even better if it was LTE with IPV4, I will continue to experiment, or maybe someone can step in and save me the trouble. maybe cinet.spcs?
Anyway it works for now as a workaround and I can look at my security cameras away from home again, hooray.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just found easier/better way to get/test IPV4: dial *#*#4636#*#* select phone info, from this screen you can run ping test to see if IPV6 and/or IPV4 is working. In my case, changing network type from "LTE/CDMA auto (PRL)" to "CDMA only" gave me a pass ping on IPV4.
This seems like a much easier/faster/better method than previous post and is now my preferred workaround method.
gravityecho said:
Just found easier/better way to get/test IPV4: dial *#*#4636#*#* select phone info, from this screen you can run ping test to see if IPV6 and/or IPV4 is working. In my case, changing network type from "LTE/CDMA auto (PRL)" to "CDMA only" gave me a pass ping on IPV4.
This seems like a much easier/faster/better method than previous post and is now my preferred workaround method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, the 4636 dial code doesn't work on most (all?) of the current 3rd-party ROMs, and all of the current 3rd-party ROMs (to date) do not allow for Sprint users to change any of the carrier settings. It defaults to Global, and if you try to switch it to LTE (which is what is recommended), you'll lose your mobile signal and won't get it back until you reset the network settings, which defaults you back to Global.
It's very frustrating. Doesn't seem like any of these 3rd-party ROMs support Sprint at all.
internetpilot said:
Unfortunately, the 4636 dial code doesn't work on most (all?) of the current 3rd-party ROMs, and all of the current 3rd-party ROMs (to date) do not allow for Sprint users to change any of the carrier settings. It defaults to Global, and if you try to switch it to LTE (which is what is recommended), you'll lose your mobile signal and won't get it back until you reset the network settings, which defaults you back to Global.
It's very frustrating. Doesn't seem like any of these 3rd-party ROMs support Sprint at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah after talking to support at my ISP (Cox who doesn't support IPv6 yet at least in my area), Sprint (who would love to sell me another phone), Motorola (who suggested I reset app preferences and restart) and Best buy (who didn't have a clue but again would love to sell me another phone), yesterday I had enough and returned it. It's staggering how many people in tech support fields have no idea what IPv4, IPv6, and APNs are. One support person at sprint thought IPv4 meant Iphone 4... Back to my trusty Note 4 with it's emmc problem and cinet.spcs.
internetpilot said:
Updating this thread for any other poor sap with a G5S+ on Sprint (haha). Actually, it's all working out fine.
The IPv6 issues really are app related issues. I've definitely researched any of my own problem apps, but even looked into some other reported problem apps that I don't use (Pokemon Go, WeChat, etc.) and every single one of the apps or their respective servers are simply not IPv6 compliant. There are some things that Moto and Sprint could have done to make these IPv6 app issues never rear their ugly head, but that's not really Sprint's or Moto's problem to solve. All these developers need to do is make their app IPv6 compliant like the vast majority of all other apps are (actually, all iPhone App Store apps were mandated to be IPv6 compliant by June 2016).
As for the APN settings issues (lack thereof), I figured out how to get access to the APN settings by way of (believe it or not) my youngest son's iPhone 7. It's apparently common knowledge for more techie iPhone users (believe it or not, there are some techie iPhone users) to use the *#*#Data#*#* dial code to get a much more extensive mobile data settings menu, which does include APN settings. This is a very good thing since the day after I came down to my Florida house for Christmas vacation, my G5S+ kept getting stuck on 3G, and wouldn't ever get a LTE signal even though there is one here (relatively weak, but it's still here). So I used that dial code to get access to the APN settings, and immediately noticed it was using some CDMA/ehrpd APN instead of the usual n.ispn LTE APN. So, I changed it back to n.ispn and the phone immediately latched on to a LTE signal and tends to keep it fairly well throughout my Florida house, actually better than my previous few phones did.
So, I'd have to say all's well that ends well on this whole thing. Hope this helps anyone else using this phone on Sprint (although it looks like I may be the only one on XDA).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just recently bought a G5S Plus to replace my G5 Plus, because the screen on my G5 is cracked and I was going to fix the screen, but then I've found that the Micro USB port on the bottom is also growing "lose" (I HATE!!!! Micro USB because they always wear out on my phones).
Anyway, I went to "activate" my new G5S+ on the Sprint web page and it just said sorry they can't help w/that, I have to "Speak to someone for assistance" (but they didn't show me what phone number to call).
Glad to see the phone will actually work on Sprint! (Since I already bought it, it would be a big deal for me if it did not!).
I have not rooted mine yet, but plan to soon. I am just not sure what ROM to use yet because it seems like these days there is no such thing as a custom ROM without problems. I sure miss the days of my Samsung Galaxy S3 when most ROMs I tried seemed to be basically flawless and better than Stock, or, at least as good, in every way.
---------- Post added at 05:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:51 PM ----------
internetpilot said:
Unfortunately, the 4636 dial code doesn't work on most (all?) of the current 3rd-party ROMs, and all of the current 3rd-party ROMs (to date) do not allow for Sprint users to change any of the carrier settings. It defaults to Global, and if you try to switch it to LTE (which is what is recommended), you'll lose your mobile signal and won't get it back until you reset the network settings, which defaults you back to Global.
It's very frustrating. Doesn't seem like any of these 3rd-party ROMs support Sprint at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, wow, that really sucks. I have this phone, it's too late to return it, and I've got about 6 months left of my "unlimited everything" from sprint for approximately $3 per month.
critofur said:
I just recently bought a G5S Plus to replace my G5 Plus, because the screen on my G5 is cracked and I was going to fix the screen, but then I've found that the Micro USB port on the bottom is also growing "lose" (I HATE!!!! Micro USB because they always wear out on my phones).
Anyway, I went to "activate" my new G5S+ on the Sprint web page and it just said sorry they can't help w/that, I have to "Speak to someone for assistance" (but they didn't show me what phone number to call).
Glad to see the phone will actually work on Sprint! (Since I already bought it, it would be a big deal for me if it did not!).
I have not rooted mine yet, but plan to soon. I am just not sure what ROM to use yet because it seems like these days there is no such thing as a custom ROM without problems. I sure miss the days of my Samsung Galaxy S3 when most ROMs I tried seemed to be basically flawless and better than Stock, or, at least as good, in every way.
---------- Post added at 05:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:51 PM ----------
Damn, wow, that really sucks. I have this phone, it's too late to return it, and I've got about 6 months left of my "unlimited everything" from sprint for approximately $3 per month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, welcome to my world! I think we're the only two people on the Moto G5S Plus on Sprint here! I was a little surprised when the SIM from my Motorola Nexus 6 didn't work in the Moto G5S Plus, but that's probably the reason you have to talk to someone or go to a Sprint store to activate it because this phone does require a rather specific SIM that's different from the previous Moto G and E models. At least Sprint finally solved the IPv6 issues that were going on when I first got this phone. That was pretty bad. It got better when my home internet providers (Comcast and Verizon at two different houses) finally upgraded to IPv6, but Sprint really shouldn't have pulled the trigger on implementing IPv6 so early. To this day only like 25% of the entire internet is on IPv6 and in the world only like 50 countries have more than 5% of IPv6 implemented.
I've literally tried every ROM posted here and even the unofficial versions of very popular ROMs (that have always worked for me on my Android phones with Sprint) like Dirty Unicorns, Resurrection Remix, LineageOS, etc., all do the same thing. They all seem to be using the same proprietary blobs or base or whatever (I'm not a developer), and they just simply don't work (or are at least VERY sketchy) on Sprint. I've been rooting/ROMing Android since my first phone almost a decade ago (HTC EVO 4G), and never had these problems on Sprint before this phone. My immediate previous phone was also a Motorola (Google Nexus 6), and I never had any problem with Sprint and custom ROMs on that phone.
I actually just recently flashed everything back to unrooted stock Nougat, took the Oreo update and all the security updates, and didn't even bother to re-root it. Sprint put a free 50GB/month wifi hotpot on every phone on my account, and the Camera2 API is activated in the stock Oreo ROM, so other than flashing a custom ROM, those were my two main reasons for rooting and they're no longer needed. So, I'm currently happily running stock unrooted Oreo with Nova Launcher.

I want a Verizon Note 9 but my concerns are call recording and more.

I've read and struggled with this for days, so it's time to ask. I plan to live in Colombia and the US.
1. I'm with Verizon with a rooted Note 3, KitKat, and KNOX not tripped. My phone is not a toy for me. It gets used for recording calls so I don't need to take notes, for charging customers for my time and proving my time, for finding network bands being used, for viewing and finding Wi-Fi signals, for doing Wi-Fi site surveys, for RDPing into remote servers and computers from anywhere, for making and having my US number forward to a Google voice number when I'm out of country, writing notes, signing POs, and getting a real backup of my phone so I can restore it back to the way it was if something happens. Yes, it is rooted, on Kit-Kat, Lollipop was blocked, and KNOX is not tripped. I have no use for games or symphonic sound. The only thing I care about is if it is loud enough for loud areas and bright enough for bright areas, and 1080p resolution is fine. The problems with keeping the Note 3 are it does not have LTE-A, which means it will not be able to work on the Verizon network past the end of the year, and it doesn't support the Colombian bands where I intend to live most of the time.
2. The first Verizon Note to enable Verizon and Colombian carriers is the Note 8. US carriers seem to be retarded when it comes to handling band aggregation and have VoLTE issues unless you use their phones. LTE-Pro and 5G will enforce end to that. In the mean time, foreign carriers even in 3rd-world countries do not have those issues as long as the phone supports their bands. Since both the Note 8 and Note 9 get Pie and Q rammed down their throat, and since call recording is broken in both versions, the only way out is root. As far as I have read, you cannot root the Verizon Note 8 and 9, and you cannot stop the update from Oreo to Pie. I've had stylus phones since the TouchPro2 and wouldn't move to Android until they finally developed the apps I needed and they had a phone with an integrated stylus.
If you see a good way out of carrying two phones, let me know. I could care less if the way to get what I need is not a Samsung. Having a KNOX that cannot be reset if you wipe the phone back to stock is almost as asinine as Google releasing Android with broken call recording.
Thanks!

Need a Note 9 Snapdragon w/Oreo on Verizon that won't be Pie bombed

I need a strategy for a Note 9 Snapdragon w/Oreo on Verizon that can be safe from being Pie bombed by terrorist countries such as Google and Verizon, and becoming a POW in the Samsung Qualcomm prison like so many others. Has anyone found a way to successfully defend against their cyber attacks?
Google started the war by invading applications with a policy change that disabled our call history recorded by Automatic Call Recorder that us, and many others, use to track time, and take notes for projects, by not allowing it to read from our address books. We retaliated by side-loading the previous APK and set up a defense perimeter by turning off all automatic application updates. However, they also make nightly raids on our businesses by dropping Pie bombs and locked boot loaders to prevent us from recording our calls to stop and cripple our industries to bring us to our knees. Some have said, while sifting through the rubble after being Pie bombed, that they could still record some calls, if they were not Wi-Fi calls. However, even if true, Wi-Fi calling is often used when Wi-Fi is available, always used by Google Voice, and happens any time you are connected via Wi-Fi and out of range of the towers, such as flights, cruises, and when visiting foreign countries.
It has not escaped my attention that Google applications read our address books when we get a call, displays call history, and like all Trojans, tries to store our address book and personal information on their server. However, Automatic Call Recorder may not read the address book even locally, nor may other apps. There is obviously a two tier justice system. However, as we have seen, it takes time to bring these deep state actors to justice. As Allies, we need to work together to defeat these forces of evil.
Let me know if you have found a way to defend against their Pie bombs, and still retain your stylus. Otherwise my options are to carry a Note 4 with KitKat in the US and two phones when I travel, or give up a stylus, drop Samsung, and buy a phone I don't want to defend myself against the Pie virus, and their next terror weapon, Quirks. Yeah, I know I'll get attacked by their attorneys for leaking the name of their next version of Android, but it's no more Mr. Nice Guy. History has proven that appeasement ends up making the eventual and unavoidable confrontation with evil far more costly every time.
Insincerely,
IT_Architect
That just appears to be a very wordy way of saying you dislike certain features of Android 9 Pie.
Need a Note 9 Snapdragon w/Oreo on Verizon that won't be Pie bombed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's a question of if anyone has found away to prevent Pie from being forced upon them, which disables widely-needed functionality that they depend on, and not even being able to root the phone to get around it, like they can do with other phones, that don't have another desirable feature, a stylus. The rest is a little humor to brighten up people's day.
I'm running Android 9 on my Note 9, and it's great!
Seek professional mental help.
IT_Architect said:
I need a strategy for a Note 9 Snapdragon w/Oreo on Verizon that can be safe from being Pie bombed by terrorist countries such as Google and Verizon, and becoming a POW in the Samsung Qualcomm prison like so many others. Has anyone found a way to successfully defend against their cyber attacks?
Google started the war by invading applications with a policy change that disabled our call history recorded by Automatic Call Recorder that us, and many others, use to track time, and take notes for projects, by not allowing it to read from our address books. We retaliated by side-loading the previous APK and set up a defense perimeter by turning off all automatic application updates. However, they also make nightly raids on our businesses by dropping Pie bombs and locked boot loaders to prevent us from recording our calls to stop and cripple our industries to bring us to our knees. Some have said, while sifting through the rubble after being Pie bombed, that they could still record some calls, if they were not Wi-Fi calls. However, even if true, Wi-Fi calling is often used when Wi-Fi is available, always used by Google Voice, and happens any time you are connected via Wi-Fi and out of range of the towers, such as flights, cruises, and when visiting foreign countries.
It has not escaped my attention that Google applications read our address books when we get a call, displays call history, and like all Trojans, tries to store our address book and personal information on their server. However, Automatic Call Recorder may not read the address book even locally, nor may other apps. There is obviously a two tier justice system. However, as we have seen, it takes time to bring these deep state actors to justice. As Allies, we need to work together to defeat these forces of evil.
Let me know if you have found a way to defend against their Pie bombs, and still retain your stylus. Otherwise my options are to carry a Note 4 with KitKat in the US and two phones when I travel, or give up a stylus, drop Samsung, and buy a phone I don't want to defend myself against the Pie virus, and their next terror weapon, Quirks. Yeah, I know I'll get attacked by their attorneys for leaking the name of their next version of Android, but it's no more Mr. Nice Guy. History has proven that appeasement ends up making the eventual and unavoidable confrontation with evil far more costly every time.
Insincerely,
IT_Architect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install Adhell 3 you can freeze system apps! So there is no way you can get Pie bombed!
N1NJATH3ORY said:
Install Adhell 3 you can freeze system apps! So there is no way you can get Pie bombed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks tons for your reply. I saw reference to Adhell 3 on another thread, as well as packagedisabler, and adb. I'm more confident that I don't need to give up on the Note series and stylus.
My next thoughts go toward whether to buy the USA unlocked or Verizon model. The "USA Unlocked" bands, according to TechWalls, seem to be a superset of Verizon's, and doesn't have the permanently installed software from Verizon, of which Message+ is the only one we use AFAIK. OTOH, I've heard of issues with Wi-Fi calling and band aggregation on the Verizon network if one doesn't use Verizon's phones, that some say can be worked around by flashing. We don't foresee a reason to leave Verizon but the extra FDD LTE B14, B30, B71, and TDD LTE B46, could prove useful, especially B71. I would be interested in your perspectives on this decision.
Thanks again!
N1NJATH3ORY said:
Install Adhell 3 you can freeze system apps! So there is no way you can get Pie bombed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, as there is no way to generate a new key any longer unless for SEAP partners, Adhell3 should not be considered as an option.
raul6 said:
Unfortunately, as there is no way to generate a new key any longer unless for SEAP partners, Adhell3 should not be considered as an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a method that still works?
IT_Architect said:
Is there a method that still works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, adb route or using package disabler app
For what it's worth, I've successfully disabled the update on several unlocked devices using ADB. However, Verizon's version has a different update system and managed to force the update after 2 months of disabling Software Update and System Updates. Maybe someone can shed light on all the apps that need to be disabled on the Verizon version to prevent the update.
raul6 said:
Yes, adb route or using package disabler app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks tons! I needed to know that.
Guyinlaca said:
For what it's worth, I've successfully disabled the update on several unlocked devices using ADB. However, Verizon's version has a different update system and managed to force the update after 2 months of disabling Software Update and System Updates. Maybe someone can shed light on all the apps that need to be disabled on the Verizon version to prevent the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will need a solid solution for that. That would be a catastrophe for us and business and customers who are asking us. Call recordings are extensively used by IT, Attorneys, and CPAs to record and invoice their time, and for engineers discussing projects so they don't have to keep interfering with the conversation to write things down. The send them so none of the content or tone of the conversations are lost. For property managers, they get calls all the time for things that need to be fixed, and they simply send the file to the guy that is doing the fixing so nothing gets lost. It needs to be automatic. When a conversation starts, you don't know before it starts if it needs to be recorded. It's even good for just people wanting to bring another family member up to speed about a conversation instead of trying to remember everything. Going from Oreo to Pie blows up critical business processes.
If we don't find a solid solution, we will replace Note 3s with Note 4s, KitKat, and root, and share a couple iPhones for out of country assignments. For customers, it will be the iPhone if Android can't bring them anything useful that the iPhone doesn't.
IT_Architect said:
Thanks tons! I needed to know that.
I will need a solid solution for that. That would be a catastrophe for us and business and customers who are asking us. Call recordings are extensively used by IT, Attorneys, and CPAs to record and invoice their time, and for engineers discussing projects so they don't have to keep interfering with the conversation to write things down. The send them so none of the content or tone of the conversations are lost. For property managers, they get calls all the time for things that need to be fixed, and they simply send the file to the guy that is doing the fixing so nothing gets lost. It needs to be automatic. When a conversation starts, you don't know before it starts if it needs to be recorded. It's even good for just people wanting to bring another family member up to speed about a conversation instead of trying to remember everything. Going from Oreo to Pie blows up critical business processes.
If we don't find a solid solution, we will replace Note 3s with Note 4s, KitKat, and root, and share a couple iPhones for out of country assignments. For customers, it will be the iPhone if Android can't bring them anything useful that the iPhone doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash the pie cp(modem) file or any other version update CP file and you wont have to worry about Pie update ever. The update server will just classify your device as being on the latest update no matter what version of Oreo you're on.
Just use Odin to flash the CP file for your device. Only takes a few seconds.
Jammol said:
Flash the pie cp(modem) file or any other version update CP file and you wont have to worry about Pie update ever. The update server will just classify your device as being on the latest update no matter what version of Oreo you're on. Just use Odin to flash the CP file for your device. Only takes a few seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may buy a one and try that. I'm thinking about buying the Verizon phone because I don't want trouble with Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE, aggregation, etc. Does it matter if I buy the Verizon or the US Unlocked?
Thanks!
IT_Architect said:
I may buy a one and try that. I'm thinking about buying the Verizon phone because I don't want trouble with Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE, aggregation, etc. Does it matter if I buy the Verizon or the US Unlocked?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter. They are all the same exact device. Only difference is software.
Jammol said:
It doesn't matter. They are all the same exact device. Only difference is software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts are about two things:
1. Will Verizon discriminate because the IMEI was not sold by Verizon? I see threads about Verizon not being allowed on, or not having access to VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, band aggregation, etc.
2. The attraction of the US Unlocked version is it has a superset of Verizon's bands and comes with the following bands that the Verizon version does not:
3G CDMA Diversity: BC0(800), BC1(1900), BC10(800)
4G FDD LTE: B14(700), B30(2300), B71 (600MHz)
4G TDD LTE: B46(5200)
I'm not sure how Verizon treats Unlocked Phones and WiFi Calling.
I can tell you that we have three U.S. Unlocked phones on AT&T and Oreo... WiFi Calling is not available on any of them (i.e. options to turn WiFi Calling on/off is not available/exposed in menus). I think some people have installed an AT&T ROM on their Unlocked Phones and WiFi Calling became available, along with AT&T bloat though
JohnNadeau said:
I'm not sure how Verizon treats Unlocked Phones and WiFi Calling. I can tell you that we have three U.S. Unlocked phones on AT&T and Oreo... WiFi Calling is not available on any of them (i.e. options to turn WiFi Calling on/off is not available/exposed in menus). I think some people have installed an AT&T ROM on their Unlocked Phones and WiFi Calling became available, along with AT&T bloat though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, there we go! Those are exactly the kind of traps I'm concerned about, and historically have been an issue. Then I would like to submit the following objectives and plan to accomplish these objectives to scrutiny by the group:
Objectives:
1. Guarantee the ability to be accepted on the Verizon network.
2. Preserve Oreo in order to be able to do normal call recording.
3. Insure access to the network features VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, and band aggregation
4. Be able to successfully replace the Verizon SIM with and use the SIM of a foreign carrier when I travel abroad.
Plan:
A. Buy a Verizon-branded Note 9 phone with Oreo to ensure the IMEI is accepted with no hassles and the firmware already installed with the proven ability to access to all features of the Verizon network such as VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, and band aggregation.
B. Flash the Verizon version of the Pie cp(modem) file to disable updates to Pie. (I assume that in order to not mess up the plan, I need to use the Verizon Pie cp(modem) file, rather than the US Unlocked Pie cp(modem) file that supports a superset of the Verizon's bands?)
C. Install Package Disabler Pro+ for an additional layer of protection against a Pie upgrade.
Thanks!
IT_Architect said:
Ah, there we go! Those are exactly the kind of traps I'm concerned about, and historically have been an issue. Then I would like to submit the following objectives and plan to accomplish these objectives to scrutiny by the group:
Objectives:
1. Guarantee the ability to be accepted on the Verizon network.
2. Preserve Oreo in order to be able to do normal call recording.
3. Insure access to the network features VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, and band aggregation
4. Be able to successfully replace the Verizon SIM with and use the SIM of a foreign carrier when I travel abroad.
Plan:
A. Buy a Verizon-branded Note 9 phone with Oreo to ensure the IMEI is accepted with no hassles and the firmware already installed with the proven ability to access to all features of the Verizon network such as VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, and band aggregation.
B. Flash the Verizon version of the Pie cp(modem) file to disable updates to Pie. (I assume that in order to not mess up the plan, I need to use the Verizon Pie cp(modem) file, rather than the US Unlocked Pie cp(modem) file that supports a superset of the Verizon's bands?)
C. Install Package Disabler Pro+ for an additional layer of protection against a Pie upgrade.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a good plan!
I'll be interested in your results.
raul6 said:
Unfortunately, as there is no way to generate a new key any longer unless for SEAP partners, Adhell3 should not be considered as an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh man that sucks bigtime! it's like Samsung want's us to root our phones! and trip knox! My key is going to expire real soon
N1NJATH3ORY said:
Unfortunately, as there is no way to generate a new key any longer unless for SEAP partners, Adhell3 should not be considered as an option....
Ahh man that sucks bigtime! it's like Samsung want's us to root our phones! and trip knox! My key is going to expire real soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We appreciate your optimism. It means after your key expires, you can't use it, nor can you root the newer Samsung phones.

Carrier switch help! VZW to ATT

Hey all! Forgive my ignorance, it's been a long time since I've done anything with firmware on Android phones (since I flashed a custom ROM to my Motorola Droid X about 10 years ago, lol). I've been poring over these forums for a few hours now and trying to piece some information together, but I could really use a hand from some more experienced folks.
Here's my situation: I'm in the U.S. I own an AT&T SM-N950U, and a Verizon SM-N950U. The Verizon phone is no longer being used (since April of 2018). I accidentally dropped the AT&T phone and heavily damaged the screen/digitizer and chassis, and would like to go back to using the Verizon phone, but on AT&T's network. I swapped the AT&T SIM to the VZW phone, and I was surprised to see that after a reboot, the AT&T splash screen came up, and after a factory reset, acted just like a new AT&T phone. It will send and receive data, SMS, and phone calls. However, the phone is still running Oreo, and when I tried to update it through OTA or through Samsung Smart Switch, it said that the phone was up to date. A little digging in the settings shows me that the phone is still considered a VZW-branded phone (ATT/ATT/VZW), and I believe this is the reason why I'm not able to receive the OTA updates. I also noticed that I no longer get 5G service, and I'm worried that there may be other functions missing too. I've seen BlueFox721's guide on carrier switching, and decided to do a bit more research before making an attempt, but I figured I would ask some questions.
First off, my main goal is to get this VZW Note 8 to work with all intended functionality of an up-to-date AT&T Note 8, including future OTA updates, bloatware, the whole deal. Is this actually possible?
If it is possible, can it be done without tripping Knox and hindering Samsung functionality?
I've read that root isn't possible with any bootloader past v3... I'm running v4 (N950USQU4CRF3). Is root necessary to switch carriers, or is it as simple as flashing an AT&T firmware with a newer bootloader version than what I currently use?
Again, I know a lot of this information is out there, but there's just so much to comb through I thought it might be better to just ask in regards to my particular situation, in case I'm not understanding something correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Regional Lock

Hi There
Hopefully some insight can be shed on this topic, it would be greatly appreciated.
I've read that all you need to do is use the device in the region of purchase for 5-10 mins of local calls & then the region lock is unlocked to any world wide sim.
- is this still the case with Samsung devices?
- lets say once the device is unlocked (in country of origin) but reset a few months later in another country other than it was bought in, will the region lock be back?
Thanks
antares* said:
Hi There
Hopefully some insight can be shed on this topic, it would be greatly appreciated.
I've read that all you need to do is use the device in the region of purchase for 5-10 mins of local calls & then the region lock is unlocked to any world wide sim.
- is this still the case with Samsung devices?
- lets say once the device is unlocked (in country of origin) but reset a few months later in another country other than it was bought in, will the region lock be back?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so, the question youre asking can be answered in several ways. Firstly, the locks placed on the phones are placed by the carrier, so if your phone is truly unlocked, itll never lock on to a service provider permanently. The process you describe about using it for local calls for a few min to have it grab your carrier is CSC related and more applies to whether you can use SPay and SHealth or not. There are also subsidy locks that make carrier switching impossible without an unlock. These subsidy locks can be in the firmware or even an app that was granted root permissions making it impossible to remove on snapdragon devices outside of Odin.
I guess, what issues are you trying to avoid?
Youdoofus said:
so, the question youre asking can be answered in several ways. Firstly, the locks placed on the phones are placed by the carrier, so if your phone is truly unlocked, itll never lock on to a service provider permanently. The process you describe about using it for local calls for a few min to have it grab your carrier is CSC related and more applies to whether you can use SPay and SHealth or not. There are also subsidy locks that make carrier switching impossible without an unlock. These subsidy locks can be in the firmware or even an app that was granted root permissions making it impossible to remove on snapdragon devices outside of Odin.
I guess, what issues are you trying to avoid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly thanks for taking the time to respond. ?
So I'm not technical at these things but here's a quick background on my query.
A friend purchased a Samsung from an Asian country now while there & the box said specifically that it is made for use in that region and their sim. He's using it but won't know if it will work here till he returns. He is able to get one for me as it's much cheaper there, hence the research on the topic.
Through my search I've seen on Samsung forums people buying phones from difference regions with some able to successfully use it in their country & others not (comments vary on reasoning as to why but the use of that country local SIM seems common)
When he queried the sticker they said to just follow that calling process (I'm presuming now this is the carrier lock) However I'm not sure if there are carrier locks on the device as through my search, that country normally doesn't practice carrier locks (Service Provider) as the US or Europe does as devices are sold at any shop in Asia. So it's a bit confusing..
From your knowledge, let's say he activates & uses it for a few minutes. When he returns & I reset the device, will the lock revert back for that region or will be opened for any sim? And something that just came to mind, as the Samsung devices are regional, will this affect how updates come through or will it be based on that regional timetable for updates?
Thanks again
antares* said:
Firstly thanks for taking the time to respond.
So I'm not technical at these things but here's a quick background on my query.
A friend purchased a Samsung from an Asian country now while there & the box said specifically that it is made for use in that region and their sim. He's using it but won't know if it will work here till he returns. He is able to get one for me as it's much cheaper there, hence the research on the topic.
Through my search I've seen on Samsung forums people buying phones from difference regions with some able to successfully use it in their country & others not (comments vary on reasoning as to why but the use of that country local SIM seems common)
When he queried the sticker they said to just follow that calling process (I'm presuming now this is the carrier lock) However I'm not sure if there are carrier locks on the device as through my search, that country normally doesn't practice carrier locks (Service Provider) as the US or Europe does as devices are sold at any shop in Asia. So it's a bit confusing..
From your knowledge, let's say he activates & uses it for a few minutes. When he returns & I reset the device, will the lock revert back for that region or will be opened for any sim? And something that just came to mind, as the Samsung devices are regional, will this affect how updates come through or will it be based on that regional timetable for updates?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
terrible questions.. i tell ya what..... TOTALLY KIDDING!!
actually very solid questions and its also great to hear people doing this kind of research prior to pulling the trigger. I commend you
Anywho, lets see.
1: What Asian country? Yes, it matters. Or if you can get the model number from the download mode screen, that would be helpful too. If you dont know how to get to the DL mode, power the phone off, hold down the volume down button along with power and itll boot to a warning screen that will say volume up to continue to download mode or volume down to reboot normally. If you cant get that kind of access to the phone (or your friend rather) then its a crap shoot as many phones being offered up like this have been found to be non-us versions or even worse, utter fakes. Buyer beware if you cant get to download mode to at least check that too. Download mode is the hardest part to fake, fwiw
2: Galaxy S devices come in 2 flavors, Snapdragon and Exynos. Well, 3 i guess, the 3rd being fake. Snapdragons are the only ones that can work on CDMA carriers such as Sprint and VZW, Exynos phones work on GSM only. SD phones can also use GSM services, but the Exynos equipped phones are GSM only. SD are not rootable, Exynos are.
3: The part about your friend using it with their SIM and having problems strictly due to that. No. So long as its a legit USA model with no financial locks on it etc etc, you will be just fine. You might have to flash a CSC file in download mode or perhaps even the entire firmware (doubt youd need to do that last part), but if its an unlocked SnapDragon model built for the US market, then youre good to go.
4: make sure it doesnt have a FRP lock enabled. As long as your friend can boot it up and get past the login screen, you should be fine.
5: The last bit about the SIM again, as long as its a legit G973U with no locks and FRP inst on, you should be good to use it on any USA carrier no matter where it was initially used.
6: updates are issues out in order of IMEI batches. Being physically in a country outside of the one that the firmware is for can and often does impede updates, but thats not a worry as updates can be easily flashed manually and once the phone is on the correct CSC and physically in the right country, then updates will go on as normal.
7: youre welcome
Youdoofus said:
terrible questions.. i tell ya what..... TOTALLY KIDDING!!
actually very solid questions and its also great to hear people doing this kind of research prior to pulling the trigger. I commend you
Anywho, lets see.
1: What Asian country? Yes, it matters. Or if you can get the model number from the download mode screen, that would be helpful too. If you dont know how to get to the DL mode, power the phone off, hold down the volume down button along with power and itll boot to a warning screen that will say volume up to continue to download mode or volume down to reboot normally. If you cant get that kind of access to the phone (or your friend rather) then its a crap shoot as many phones being offered up like this have been found to be non-us versions or even worse, utter fakes. Buyer beware if you cant get to download mode to at least check that too. Download mode is the hardest part to fake, fwiw
2: Galaxy S devices come in 2 flavors, Snapdragon and Exynos. Well, 3 i guess, the 3rd being fake. Snapdragons are the only ones that can work on CDMA carriers such as Sprint and VZW, Exynos phones work on GSM only. SD phones can also use GSM services, but the Exynos equipped phones are GSM only. SD are not rootable, Exynos are.
3: The part about your friend using it with their SIM and having problems strictly due to that. No. So long as its a legit USA model with no financial locks on it etc etc, you will be just fine. You might have to flash a CSC file in download mode or perhaps even the entire firmware (doubt youd need to do that last part), but if its an unlocked SnapDragon model built for the US market, then youre good to go.
4: make sure it doesnt have a FRP lock enabled. As long as your friend can boot it up and get past the login screen, you should be fine.
5: The last bit about the SIM again, as long as its a legit G973U with no locks and FRP inst on, you should be good to use it on any USA carrier no matter where it was initially used.
6: updates are issues out in order of IMEI batches. Being physically in a country outside of the one that the firmware is for can and often does impede updates, but thats not a worry as updates can be easily flashed manually and once the phone is on the correct CSC and physically in the right country, then updates will go on as normal.
7: youre welcome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly apologies for the long delay in response, just been crazily busy and was doing research on what you said soon I am up to scratch to what you said.
1. It is from India, and yes I am aware of fakes so any purchases will be from reputable seller's. I'll have to do some research on that because I'm sure the different Samsung models will have their own codes.
2. I believe for that region they get Exynos variants.
3. From looking at some of the Samsung models online I see the product code ends with "INS" which I'm pretty sure relates to India and that country only so probably I will have to follow the DL mode you explained for my region in changing the CSC
4. I never knew about this.. How does one make sure its not enabled? Is this in the process that relates to no.3 during the CSC change?
5. Not from the US but good to know lol
6. Perfect lol
7. Thanks again, appreciate it :good::good:
antares* said:
Firstly apologies for the long delay in response, just been crazily busy and was doing research on what you said soon I am up to scratch to what you said.no worries mate, life happens. I just hope all is well in your part of the universe
1. It is from India, and yes I am aware of fakes so any purchases will be from reputable seller's. I'll have to do some research on that because I'm sure the different Samsung models will have their own codes. booting to recovery will generally tell you if its fake or not. you cant fake knox
2. I believe for that region they get Exynos variants. i believe so too. Id just get pretty much any F variant of the phone model you want and youll likely be able to get it working from there
3. From looking at some of the Samsung models online I see the product code ends with "INS" which I'm pretty sure relates to India and that country only so probably I will have to follow the DL mode you explained for my region in changing the CSC. just stick with the F models, you can flash whatever carrier stuff you need after you have it in hand
4. I never knew about this.. How does one make sure its not enabled? Is this in the process that relates to no.3 during the CSC change? Itll show you this in the download mode screen. Itll say FRP: on or FRP: OFF
5. Not from the US but good to know lol
6. Perfect lol
7. Thanks again, appreciate it :good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
always glad to help bro!

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