Database Develop

Any Hope of a Workaround for US GSM-based Carriers?

I recently purchased a used droid 4 on ebay. Unfortunately it has been upgraded to the OTA release of ICS 4.04. Anyone working on lifting the simlock associated with the version of the bootlocker included with ICS (I'm assuming the bootloader is the origin of this simlock but technically I could be wrong)? Or is it a lost cause because it is signed? I know it's written to protected ram so any workaround would be nontrivial but does anyone have any possible exploit ideas? Motorola is unlocking a couple other models that they have out. Would petitioning them to include the droid 4 in their list of unlockable devices be a surefire path to getting the simlock lifted? Or should I consider this a lost cause and return my droid 4 to the ebay ether?
If anyone is considering working on this issue I would be more than glad to contribute. While I'm no Android expert I have a decent understanding of the OS and work in command line Linux for a living so I'd be glad to help. The selection of qwerty phones today is beyond attrocious.
One last thought. Is the idea of spoofing the carrier a possibility?
Sent from my SGH-T839 using Tapatalk

Hi blackstar,
So, I recently got a Droid 4 off of CraigsList that I wanted to use on StraightTalk, but found out that what I had perceived (that 2G/Edge was working on GSM North America) was incorrect.
They're not completely sure WHERE it's broken at the moment as far as SIM lock. Some have suggested it might be baked in the ROM -- but more than likely it is built into the modem.
Here have been some stabs at it -- and what to do in regards to getting the modem setup/altered.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1916869
A thought, though -- since we have SafeStrap and Root, doesn't that let us essentially bypass the bootloader in some ways? My understanding is that the bootloader was required to boot the device to a "correct" image and lock the load to Motorola's firmware, but SafeStrap/root gave us access to actually overwrite the RAM/memory and replace the existing kernel with a new one for the chance at custom ROMs. So, I'm not entirely sure it has to do with the bootloader.
To me, it seems like something that's potentially baked into their ROM or in the modem firmware. If it's in the modem firmware, it's a matter of figuring out what keys/values need to be adjusted and then run it. There have been talks about AT&T getting the Photon Q (Asanti) -- rumors that were back around April of this year... but we have yet to see it there and no news about it showing up anytime soon. Not sure if they scrapped the keyboard and then shipped it as a different device.
I would imagine that if we can have the lowest level debug logging enabled and plug in an American SIM, you might be able to figure out what is breaking. Not sure how low logcat can go...
That's my understanding of the current situation, from a programmer's point of view (though I don't code for Android). Spoofing might be interesting -- but if it's locked at the radio firmware, I don't think spoofing can adjust the frequencies. But more power to you if you can figure it out (and force me to find ANOTHER Droid 4, haha).
Good luck! Definitely talk with the OP of the Topic I sent you, since s/he has a pretty deep interest in this as well.
OH, and one more thought -- there was a thought to grab an AT&T version of the Bionic and Verizon version, wherein they had the same radios, but different firmware, and do a diff on them to figure out if some settings had changed, and then potentially patch that into the D4. That might be a good strategy, but that would require us to get dumps from a few different people -- something you might be able to facilitate if you guys all work together.
One final thought -- is there any way we could have a sticky'd topic for people to post their findings, so we don't have to keep scanning and finding this?

Much thanks terinfire.
Let me start off by saying I don't have any definitive information with regards to any of the good questions you posed but if I find out anything I'll be sure to update the thread.
I spent a good chunk of the weekend trying to educate myself on the situation. From what I understand (anyone feel free to correct me or point me to the appropriate thread if I'm completely reinventing the wheel), it seems like it comes down to two most likely scenarios. Either Verizon added an MCC/MCN lock in the baseband when pushing out the OTA ICS release or they placed a restriction in the radio interface layer (RIL) of the ICS ROM. My research hasn't quite enabled me to determine which scenario is more likely. My unscientific intuition (and wishful thinking) is that the restriction is in the ROM somewhere in the RIL (if that makes any sense, still learning the Android OS architecture).
I will post what I've mentioned above in the the forum you mentioned; hopefully I can garner an audience. I will also look into getting a sticky topic created.
Not too sure how to implement any of my intuitions noted above with regards to this problem but I will try and learn as it goes.
One more note - so it is claimed that the Samsung Galaxy III for Verizon can be unlocked to use domestic GSM carriers. I've found no confirmation. (https://plus.google.com/103583939320326217147/posts/b7JbBKjJVSQ)
Pertinent links I came across in my research that may be useful:
MCC/MCN Codes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Code
Radio Interface Layer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Interface_Layer, http://www.kandroid.org/online-pdk/guide/telephony.html
RIL Header: https://code.google.com/p/linux-on-android/source/browse/radio/headers/ril.h
Qualcomm MDM660Device Specification: http://www.scribd.com/doc/54154049/...odem-Device-Specification-Advance-Information

[Q] Flashing Canadian 4x (P880g)

I've been going bonkers trying to get my p880 flashed to 20a. I tried the LG-KDZ Hacker method first (many times), then the KDZ_FW_UPD method, which also failed. Finally, I tried using LGFlashTool which also failed, but the failure log gave me a hint as to why:
"Invalid Target P880 <> P880g"
Has anyone successfully flashed a Canadian 4x with a non-Canadian firmware?
Can anyone think of a way to do so? Or is there a reason I shouldn't?

Mods? Just delete thread.
Nevermind; I've done a more indepth search and come across all the previous unanswered threads. Mods--you may as well just delete this thread.

Yeah, good luck finding any info on the P880g. No one at XDA is working on it, so the best we can do is pray that LG releases something official for it.

jphillip said:
Yeah, good luck finding any info on the P880g. No one at XDA is working on it, so the best we can do is pray that LG releases something official for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked on their Facebook page and they replied "At this time there is no scheduled upgrades for the Optimus 4X within Canada."
I was a bit surprised at the hostility towards the P880g posts I found. It's not like our variant has its own forum. It's also not like variations in devices are uncommon. Back when I had a G1 (HTC Dream), the Canadian version ran different S/W but could run USA roms without issue--providing your radio and bootloader matched. But that was just a S/W issue. We *may* have different hardware. However, given how small the Canadian market is and that the P880g has only been released here (as opposed to the dozens of countries the P880 is available in), I'd be surprised if our *hardware* was actually different. I haven't been able to track down what chip the P880 uses, so I don't know if it's capable of 1700. If it is, we might be alright running p880 roms. If it isn't, then we'd need some real dev work.
The real issues right now are the locked bootloader and the model check. That's what's preventing us from seeing if a P880 rom would run. I'm no dev but if I can figure out how it does the model check then I'll try and flash v20a and see if I lose connectivity.

Now that makes me curious... check this comparison: http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=3314&id2=3972
The only difference between the two is Band 4 on the P880g, and Band 9 on the P880... plus Android 4.0.4 vs. 4.0.3 (a minor software update). The listed chips are the same. So what is it in the hardware that makes a difference for frequencies? Is it even hardware, or simply a ROM limitation? Do they have physically different antennas?
Perhaps it is simply a matter of flipping a couple bits in a P880 ROM to enable Band 4, and disable Band 9 and the model check. I wish I had a shred of the technical knowledge necessary to experiment with this stuff.

jphillip said:
Now that makes me curious... check this comparison: http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=3314&id2=3972
The only difference between the two is Band 4 on the P880g, and Band 9 on the P880... plus Android 4.0.4 vs. 4.0.3 (a minor software update). The listed chips are the same. So what is it in the hardware that makes a difference for frequencies? Is it even hardware, or simply a ROM limitation? Do they have physically different antennas?
Perhaps it is simply a matter of flipping a couple bits in a P880 ROM to enable Band 4, and disable Band 9 and the model check. I wish I had a shred of the technical knowledge necessary to experiment with this stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 'chip' in question is the radio/wireless chip, rather than the cpu/gpu. It's not typically listed on spec sheets, and is the sort of thing you need to do a teardown to find out. For example, if you check out this teardown: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus+One+Teardown/1654/2 , the Qualcomm RTR6285 is the Nexus One's radio chip. Sometimes radio chips will support more frequencies than they use. If the P880 and P880g have the same chip, then accessing frequencies is a software matter and easier for a dev to deal with.
I'm no dev either, but hey, devs are made, not born. I like my P880g as is, but I'd really love to be able to customize it more and or update it as time goes by and 4.0.4 begins to seem a bit long in the tooth.

nemesishaven said:
I asked on their Facebook page and they replied "At this time there is no scheduled upgrades for the Optimus 4X within Canada."
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I ve checked also with videotron, no scheduled update for their LG 4X firmware

Nokia 7 Plus 6/64GB CN, will it work in my country?

Greetings.
I plan on getting this version, will it work normally in Serbia? Band20 isn't important to me. Also, is this phone part of the Android One program, and can you install Google Play Store easily as this video states?
youtu.be/ QsP4EkBrgRY
"This unit was imported from China, but Play Store can be installed through the provided App store."
Edit:
I am sorry for editing the link like this, it wouldn't allow me to post it otherwise..

@ivanbass1
For future reference, the model you are interested in is known as the following:
Nokia 7 Plus Dual SIM TD-LTE CN 6GB
I was looking to purchase this myself but if you get the 6GB Chinese variant, you're pretty much limited to 2G (GSM) connectivity.
Here's a URL outlining compatibility with all the countries around the world:
https://www.frequencycheck.com/compatibility/GleKj/nokia-7-plus-dual-sim-td-lte-cn-6gb/countries
Pretty dismal

ivanbass1 said:
Greetings.
I plan on getting this version, will it work normally in Serbia? Band20 isn't important to me. Also, is this phone part of the Android One program, and can you install Google Play Store easily as this video states?
youtu.be/ QsP4EkBrgRY
"This unit was imported from China, but Play Store can be installed through the provided App store."
Edit:
I am sorry for editing the link like this, it wouldn't allow me to post it otherwise..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it will work.
BTW, CN version has LTE Cat 7, 2CA, 300Mbps DL/100Mbps UL while Global version only gets LTE Cat 6.
In the future, once you get unlocked bootloader, you can flash any ROM you like, because Nokia 7 Plus supports Phh treble.

@SUN Huayan
I know you mean well but we can't flash ROMs at random. There has to be interest from a developer standpoint for this specific device.
Secondly Custom ROMs aren't going to unlock bands that the chipset can't support.

https://www.frequencycheck.com/brands/nokia
As far as I can see the European version supports exactly the same frequencies as the Chinese one.

custom roms???

this device has amazing specs but lack of software support. it would be amazing some custom pie or 10 roms
i don't need asus own features
i really like a pixel experience,los or omnirom the most stock android feeling rom( +120hz you will get a more buttery smooth experience)
please somebody create one
sources are available
even zenfone 6 has custom roms

Yes please !

Alessandro999 said:
this device has amazing specs but lack of software support. it would be amazing some custom pie or 10 roms
i don't need asus own features
i really like a pixel experience,los or omnirom the most stock android feeling rom( +120hz you will get a more buttery smooth experience)
please somebody create one
sources are available
even zenfone 6 has custom roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one problem is TWRP hasn't even been created... Yet. And yes there really is no software support... Yet

Swarai said:
one problem is TWRP hasn't even been created... Yet. And yes there really is no software support... Yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes exactly i really hope somebody create a tpwr and rom because sources are out

It will be nice if this phone receives TWRP and custom roms.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Didn't it JUST launch globally today?
Let's give it some time.

i really hope somebody create a stable tpwr since sources are available and the most stable rom out there like omnirom or pixel experience
preferred omnirom

IMO I don't believe it will receive support anytime soon. Unless ROG was able to convince your standard Android enthusiast that this isn't just a gaming device. People that purchase this phone are mainly interested in one thing, gaming, not development. So, ROG has to convince those types that this device is just as good as those others.

It will be interesting to have custom roms for rog. waiting also

ZeroKool76 said:
IMO I don't believe it will receive support anytime soon. Unless ROG was able to convince your standard Android enthusiast that this isn't just a gaming device. People that purchase this phone are mainly interested in one thing, gaming, not development. So, ROG has to convince those types that this device is just as good as those others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts exactly. Custom roms are awesome but they are generally made or ported to be used by a majority of the phones out there. If we got a custom rom ie. AOSP, who would code in the air triggers from scratch?
Having said that, the stock rom is quite good. I don't have the need to root it like I did with my Mate 20X to shrink down the gigantic icons/screen because by default Asus allows a lot of customization.

n1tro said:
My thoughts exactly. Custom roms are awesome but they are generally made or ported to be used by a majority of the phones out there. If we got a custom rom ie. AOSP, who would code in the air triggers from scratch?
Having said that, the stock rom is quite good. I don't have the need to root it like I did with my Mate 20X to shrink down the gigantic icons/screen because by default Asus allows a lot of customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently the American version doesn't have volte or voWi-Fi as well.. that, along with the fact that it doesn't support band 71, are big reasons why your normal or typical Android enthusiast/ developer is not going to purchase this device

ZeroKool76 said:
Apparently the American version doesn't have volte or voWi-Fi as well.. that, along with the fact that it doesn't support band 71, are big reasons why your normal or typical Android enthusiast/ developer is not going to purchase this device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does this apply to the Tengent games (CN) version too? I am getting the cheaper CN version and then going to flash the WW (Global) Rom, so essentially I guess I am asking is this a hardware omission, or is it ROM (software) based?
And how does this typically affect say a normal phone user?

It might get an update. As for band 71, I personally don't care because I won't use it all.

jkeener88 said:
So does this apply to the Tengent games (CN) version too? I am getting the cheaper CN version and then going to flash the WW (Global) Rom, so essentially I guess I am asking is this a hardware omission, or is it ROM (software) based?
And how does this typically affect say a normal phone user?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I understand it, it doesn't have to do with software or hardware, they just simply don't support volte of vowifi. In China, they do. So, it's not the device, but the companies choice. May be some restrictions that we aren't aware of, otherwise it doesn't seem like a very smart decision. I was all in until I heard this. 3G is going to be removed from our networks in the next few years, so voLTE is kind of mandatory. Even now, if I don't have voLTE, I can't make or receive calls. VoWiFi, that's beneficial if you're cell signal is low for whatever reason. Maybe you work below ground or in Faraday cage style buildings. Plenty of uses for it. As far as band 71, no, I probably don't need it. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't want it just in case. Always better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

ZeroKool76 said:
As I understand it, it doesn't have to do with software or hardware, they just simply don't support volte of vowifi. In China, they do. So, it's not the device, but the companies choice. May be some restrictions that we aren't aware of, otherwise it doesn't seem like a very smart decision. I was all in until I heard this. 3G is going to be removed from our networks in the next few years, so voLTE is kind of mandatory. Even now, if I don't have voLTE, I can't make or receive calls. VoWiFi, that's beneficial if you're cell signal is low for whatever reason. Maybe you work below ground or in Faraday cage style buildings. Plenty of uses for it. As far as band 71, no, I probably don't need it. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't want it just in case. Always better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is wrong for TMO. It's in the SW. There's an option for volte carrier check on xiaomis phones. A simple dialer code disables this check, and volte works on TMO. I'm hoping there's a way we can do this on the rog 2. That, or a build.prop edit to enable it. There has to be a setting hidden that disables volte in us.

suzook said:
This is wrong for TMO. It's in the SW. There's an option for volte carrier check on xiaomis phones. A simple dialer code disables this check, and volte works on TMO. I'm hoping there's a way we can do this on the rog 2. That, or a build.prop edit to enable it. There has to be a setting hidden that disables volte in us.
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Click to collapse
I've just been reading a little bit more up on it, and apparently, ASUS didn't pay the cell carriers in North America for provisioning costs. That's why it won't work. So, regardless of software, hardware or any other type of hackery, it won't work in North America.

ZeroKool76 said:
I've just been reading a little bit more up on it, and apparently, ASUS didn't pay the cell carriers in North America for provisioning costs. That's why it won't work. So, regardless of software, hardware or any other type of hackery, it won't work in North America.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is this just a bad/dumb move by Asus or what? I mean I honestly don't know if these omissions will affect me, all I know is I still own a Samsung until I get the Asus and was always able to use my Samsung phone how I wanted to use it

AT&T Phone Need assistance!

Fellow XDAers,
Hopefully someone here will be able to grab the information i need. I am a current user of a OnePlus 7 Pro phone.
OnePlus users are reporting terrible GPS reception in certain cases. Especially while using waze and other gps heavy apps like google maps.
XDA thread related to this issue! https://forum.xda-developers.com/7t-pro/how-to/oneplus-7t-pro-mclaren-edition-gps-t4017417
I was hoping someone with an AT&T branded Pixel device could upload their GPS.conf file, and any other GPS related information. I can give more specifics if you can help me out.
Why pixel 4? https://medium.com/@sjbarbeau/tl-dr-dual-frequency-gnss-on-android-table-of-devices-9be4bbb83a7b
Pixel 4 should have dual frequency gnss just like OneplusDevices and also uses a similar snapdragon chipset. If this works i may be willing to donate kudos .
This would be awesome if this helps alleviate the issue. I am thinking that a phone specifically set for AT&T network will have better GPS.conf settings than say my unlocked international OP7.
Thanks in advance!