!!! This is a HIGH RISK method of performing any form of modification, if you are on a T-Mobile ne2217 !!!
There are unidentified files that your device might have conflict with, and cause a bootloop!
Proceed at your own risk! You have been warned!
OK, first lemme explain. The NE2217 (10 pro) itself does not have any special restrictions on it, unlike the CPH 2419 (10T) which is an exclusive T-Mobile variant. My guide on region swapping the CPH2419 (10T, link below) is still valid for the NE2217 (US- NA) . But there are conditions required or you will enter an infinite bootloop which becomes un-recoverable, without an edl flash. I do not have the specifics as to exactly which partitions cause this, but basically the bottom line is, IF YOU HAVE NOT UNLOCKED YOUR BOOTLOADER, EVEN IF YOU ARE SIM UNLOCKED, do not attempt to region swap.
There are a couple of partitions that are specially locked, that ONLY become write capable using the fastboot command, "Unlock Critical". Without a Bootloader unlock, the Oxygen Updater/Local Update programs, CANNOT make the needed changes to the Kernel, as well as these other important partitions, which have instructions that implicitly block changing to other regions. I cannot confirm if this exists in other countries with carrier locks, but i do know for a fact that T-Mobile has this enforced on all of the 10 Pro (ne2217) purchased through them.
As mentioned in previous threads that ive replied in, I suspected that the apps Oxygen Updater and Local Update, do not have the permissions capable to make direct changes to the boot.img, or recovery.img directly, primarily because those partitons cannot be altered while the system is currently running. These images can only be altered through Fastboot, or EDL thus the need for an MSM Tool if you cannot unlock your bootloader via conventional methods. So what happens is upon "Pre-boot" those special instructions i spoke of, take authority and put the carrier specific files, into an untouchable state that are locked behind the USERDATA partition, so these applications just copy the updated files to the inactive partition and performs the changes during the next boot, and even a hard wipe factory reset does not have the authority to erase the carrier instructions. The only way they are removed is by Unlocking your Bootloader! When you do that, the Qualcomm Processor has an embedded command, which is required to ERASE the entire Userdata partition, to protect the encrypted files protected by the bootloader lock! You can read about that by googling "Qualcomm Bootloader Unlocking".
Hope that makes sense to the majority of you. So again, the ONLY requirement for you to be able to go from 'ne2217', to any other fw is YOUR BOOTLOADER MUST BE UNLOCKED!
Failure to follow that one requirement will indeed force your device into an unusable, infinite bootloop, which can be resolved only by an EDL flash, which as of right now we do not have the tools that can perform this on CONSUMER level. You will have to RMA, your device, or go thru third party channels, which in itself is very risky, and puts you at risk of viruses/malware/wormholes/zombie-apocalypse because you must give someone full access to your computer remotely, and pray that the person only does what you requested. (NOT IDEAL).
Now if you're on a T-Mobile locked device, you are NOT hopeless... as I am on a T-Mobile locked device, and i am now bootloader unlocked as well! These two conditions are independent of each other, but trust me when i tell you that YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO THRU WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED, IN ORDER TO REACH THIS GOAL!
In so I will not publicly disclose how i was able to enter the real Fastboot Mode, so that i could pull the unlock code needed to request the unlock token from T-mobile.
(If you are so inclined to do this that you are willing to forgo ALL precautions and risk the possibility of bricking your device, or you have already landed yourself in an unrecoverable bootloop state, and are willing to try ANYTHING, you can join Bootloopers Anonymous, by clickiing it, and drop a message. This is a brand new telegram channel, and i will try to watch it for your requests. And again i strongly advise that you DO NOT embark on MY adventure, but if Unlocked Bootloader by Any Means Necessary is your ultimate goal, and nothing less is acceptable, i will try to help you achieve it... *** YOUR DEVICE WILL ENTER A COMPLETELY UNUSABLE STATE FOR A MINIMUM OF 7 DAYS!! *** but bear in mind that EVEN IF you have to use my method, you will be still subject to the 7-day waiting period outlined by OnePlus company policy. No one can overcome that, as the unlock token comes thru a separate division of Oppo/Oneplus that only generates the token through an automated request which is pushed after the expiration of 7 full days (1-week) has passed. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!)
The 10-Pro doesn't require the "In-Depth Testing" app to get your BL unlocked. That said, it also does not mean that OPPO has not designed one for this device because indeed they have. That application is individually encoded with device specifications so that only devices and regions EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED by Oppo, can submit a request to unlock. DO NOT TRY sideloading any "In Depth Testing" apk floating around on the internet, as these can be altered to contain malware or worse, and then if your device becomes corrupted by it, Oppo can deny you an RMA on your device, thus charging you for the repair as there are warnings that you must acknowledge to even run the app, and attempting to circumvent the safeguards that this app already has in place is considered a violation of ToS.
If OPPO adds your device/region to the list of allowed devices, you will be able to download this application through OFFICIAL channels, and it will be made known to the public.
Once you are completely knowledgeable that your BL has indeed been fully unlocked, you can proceed to follow the instructions in the link to my guide below. The guide is for the CPH2419 (10T), but the instructions are completely compatible with the 10 Pro entire series, assuming your BL is unlocked. On the 10T this is not a requirement, and i honestly do not understand why this enforcement was put into our 10 Pro model, released almost a year earlier. Probably just an oversight by T-Mobile which might be corrected in future builds.
How to use Oxygen Updater + Local Update apks to switch regions.
EDIT: Local Update downgrade it currently installing
No Go, The update installed and downgraded but it just loads to the welcome screen and crashes and boot loops
supercobaltss said:
EDIT: Local Update downgrade it currently installing
No Go, The update installed and downgraded but it just loads to the welcome screen and crashes and boot loops
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
again, what most ppl are failing to do is follow my guide exactly as i defined. The VERY 1st thing you MUST DO... prior to unlocking the Bootloader... Prior to even downloading ANY rollback packages is, you MUST go and Download ANY of the Android 13 beta updates that are available in Oxygen updater. Turn on advanced mode, and select the whichever model you prefer... Its actually best to choose the region you plan on swapping to, for easier transition with the rollback package. IMHO i would always pick the EU model whenever attempting this, simply because that one usually has more bands available. But the main idea behind this is to make the phone, first BREAK the connection it has with T-Mobile's custom kernel, and modem... which is done just by upgrading to an Android 13 beta, as T-Mobile does not EVER release any beta builds, so by doing an actual OS upgrade, your phone must load the OS kernel, and several other partitions/files which i am sure that T-Mobile has branded in the 2217. Upgrading to a newer OS will without a doubt overwrite the carrier locked files, because the Upgrade comes from a higher authority in the chain of trust. Until TMO releases an update, then this is a requirement so that the rollback package of that region can safely downgrade the files, in their correct partitions. If you download a beta 13 thru oxygen updater, you can local update flash it, without problem. I did it myself to several demo devices at Tmobile stores here in Texas to test the technique, after i bricked mine by using a rollback package first!
Remember the 2217 is a T-Mobile EXCLUSIVE! No other carrier may sell this same model... but ALL of the internals are the exact same, and as im sure we are all well aware of, T-Mobile doesnt have the fastest adaptations when it comes to OS updates.
But there are several key identifiers which point to a custom made BL, Kernel, and Modem: 1. The build for all T-Mobile versions is on a revision that no other model has released... This alone could cause BL because if you flash a build that is older than the one you have currently, several files have anti-downgrade measures built into them. This is why we need the signed rollback packages to downgrade. But even if OPPO signed a rollback, unless they released one with T-Mobiles file specs, then anything you flash can create a conflict with an existing file... BL! But i know of about 13 ppl who have attempted my method, plus i just did another one myself last night for someone who contacted me and offered to compensate me royally if i would meet them since we were local logistically. 2. AFAIK, when installing a different rom to a device, you cannot downgrade the modem version. I know this is apparent with Samsung... as if you try to flash a rom with a lower modem version, it usually bricks, and you have to use odin to flash the newer modem back, in order to boot. Again this is taken care of by installing the NEWEST beta for Android 13, unless you had my situation which is, my phone CAME WITH updated security, and build already installed for October 2022. I havent heard of anyone who has said they even have the option to update theirs past August. So new purchases have to be careful. T-mobile sold mine with a blocked Fastboot, that doesnt respond to the button combo. Which clearly identifies they modified the recovery partition. 3. E-fuses have become a staple in Android devices for the past 5+ years.
Sure we have not heard of anything being in the T-mobile fw... but also who here can say that they have a FULL BUILD of the Tmo fw to examine? No one.... there is a generic 2217 build floating around that claims to be official, yet it is the ONLY build that does not have an OTA formatted file structure. All the 10 Pro OTA have been in payload.bin format, yet this happens to come only as a decrypted OFP, or a compressed OFP. *** OPPO is not directly supporting the 10 Pro 2217 or 10 T 2419 ! As these are proprietary T-Mobile builds. This is why you cannot find either of those models fw in the Oppo repository. So if OPPO doesnt release builds for TMO, then how exactly did an "Official 'OFP' for 2217" get released? *** OFP is an Official OPPO format for all the OPPO model phones. 10 Pro is still branded Oneplus, thus just about any OFP file you find in the wild, is almost 100% guaranteed NOT to be an official released build for our phones. Every package for this and the 10T that they have OFFICIALLY released, has been in Payload.bin format, because they havent released any full images yet! So in theory, who's to say that TMO didnt place an efuse into their specific model? Its only code, and if set, then it could have been burned during the initial release, or a later update, like AMAZON did with updates to the Firestick/FireTV devices, which would ONLY allow newer updates to certain files in THEIR build. That would totally explain a bootloop, because the rollback packages all push you back to 11_A.013 .... that build is from Feb-March 2022. Rolling back would almost guarantee that some files are overwritten with older components, which would cause a brick by e-fuse standards. We had to be lucky enough to catch it early in the FIrestick forum, to stop ppl from installing the update. Everyone who did, had their ability to unlock/load custom fw to their devices blocked, and there is still today no way to circumvent it. Sure new methods to mod became available, but only minimal changes, cuz the e-fuse blocked downgrading to exploitable builds. Since TMO has gone this far to stop us from modifying this phone, you can bet solidly on the fact that they have several safeguards in place to protect their investment.
Now im not trying to discourage anyone or discredit anything anyone has said or experienced regarding this phone, but look at the NUMEROUS unanswered replies to handfuls of problems that only happen to 1 or 2 ppl... they all have the same final result, but its astounding how many different scenarios ppl have found, that no one else has experienced, yet it leads to another bricked device. If this problem was rampant among a significant number of users, and it was triggered by the exact same scenario, then TMO would have to address it with an update... But all we know for sure is that there is some file(s) that is not compatible with any other model except the 2217. Til we have an EXACT culprit identified, all we can do is speculate, which is why I am going to re-label this as HIGH RISK in the OP. It has about a 40-50% chance of causing a bootloop, and about a 10% chance to leave your device unresponsive! There have been several released guides for other devices that have close to the same success rate / risk factor. All i can do is share what I have done, and what i know from personal exp.
Im sorry if anyone lands themselves on the wrong side of that equation, but it is a risk that only you can decide if its worth taking. For me, that answer is and always will be YES because i will not own a device that i do not OWN! For others this may be a touch more out of their league, and if thats true they should steer clear, until I or another user can get hold of an official TMO OTA, to examine the diff files in each.
****** Now all of that being said.... if ANYONE wishes to contribute to finding a solution to this dumpster fire, I am not asking for donations.... What i am asking, is for SOMEONE who might have a T-Mobile 10Pro on the release build, or any build PRIOR to 11_A.13 and is looking to help, we NEED an exact copy of an OTA update that might be sitting in your notifications. All updates download to the /sdcard/ partition of your phone in a folder that is accessible without root permissions. If you accept the download for the update, and DONT begin the install immediately, you can locate and pull that OTA to your computer, then delete the file from your phone, and it will cancel the update on reboot. No loss to you, but EXTREMELY HELPFUL to us, because we will have something from TMO to work with, which may give us a clue as to what we need to remove from the updater script ! *******
and FYI the signatures used to sign some of the OTA we already have, are already deciphered and as such can be used to create new signatures after making some changes to the respective regions package. But to make having these be of any value, we need to know what to take out or change in the manifest, that will prevent alterations of the files causing bootloops. If anyone can help with an upload of a TMO-OTA please share publicly or dm myself or one of the other devs who have expressed interest in this issue.
Thanks
I can probably pull the update from my wifes phone. She never updates anything. I did get my 10 pro to boot to android 13 but everything just says its disabled. This is only the 3rd phone ive done this with so ill warranty another one if i have to lol.
supercobaltss said:
EDIT: Local Update downgrade it currently installing
No Go, The update installed and downgraded but it just loads to the welcome screen and crashes and boot loops
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, this happened to me as well. Setup wizard crashes before I even get very far in it, and I've wiped multiple times trying to complete it somehow.
GuyInDogSuit said:
Yup, this happened to me as well. Setup wizard crashes before I even get very far in it, and I've wiped multiple times trying to complete it somehow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive tried to convert multiple different ways. Upgrading to 13 basically screws you with the disabled apps BS, Downgrading just crashes the device. Either way its broken. I've went through 3 devices now messing around.
So I guess it's time to replace it, then? Crap.
GuyInDogSuit said:
So I guess it's time to replace it, then? Crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start a RMA on OnePlus website, don't go through T-Mobile. They will have you send in phone and then either reflash your phone and send it back or just send you a new phone which is what they did when I had to do it. All that bs about voiding warranty when unlocking bootloader is just that, bs. They fix or replace without any issues but you have to go through OnePlus.
FML.
I've gotten it working for the most part, but what's most concerning is that there's no IMEI. And it doesn't charge or even acknowledge the cable. Fantastic.
jeffsga88 said:
Start a RMA on OnePlus website, don't go through T-Mobile. They will have you send in phone and then either reflash your phone and send it back or just send you a new phone which is what they did when I had to do it. All that bs about voiding warranty when unlocking bootloader is just that, bs. They fix or replace without any issues but you have to go through OnePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't even request an RMA as I don't have an IMEI to provide. It's blank in the phone. I think I'm screwed. Or try T-Mobile. Dunno. This sucks.
GuyInDogSuit said:
I can't even request an RMA as I don't have an IMEI to provide. It's blank in the phone. I think I'm screwed. Or try T-Mobile. Dunno. This sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile version has your IMEI sketched into the back cover of your phone. You should be able to use that.
jeffsga88 said:
The T-Mobile version has your IMEI sketched into the back cover of your phone. You should be able to use that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh. Uh.... completely forgotten about that.
I just updated to Android 13 on the TMO NE2217, device not unlocked, still financed. And now have the option to unlock the BL.
beatbreakee said:
All updates download to the /sdcard/ partition of your phone in a folder that is accessible without root permissions. If you accept the download for the update, and DONT begin the install immediately, you can locate and pull that OTA to your computer, then delete the file from your phone, and it will cancel the update on reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this still useful, with the NE2217_11_C.26 update? And either way, how can I delete it? I couldn't find anything big in /sdcard. Thanks!
deleted
psm321 said:
Is this still useful, with the NE2217_11_C.26 update? And either way, how can I delete it? I couldn't find anything big in /sdcard. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^
^
^
^
^
THIS Please my phone ignored my saying no and next reboot the damn thing will go off on me ... so frustrating that even when you set the darn thing to OFF on auto update and such it STILL does this BS...
Damn TMobile and their special lock junk UGH ...
anyway ... please can one direct with a screen shot and file manager they used to find this file so I can delete the thing? ... I have tried to find it and struck out ... but having got the notification today and the Oxygen app is showing 'REBOOT' instead of 'resume' when I ignored the update previously has me thinking if I reboot I will see android 13 pop up and in this case means I will lose my whoop as something with it breaks pairing my wearable ... whoop has offered no timetable for a fix
Related
I am sorry if this is the wrong place or forum.
I have an HTC 8XT on an MVNO of Sprint. Sprint apparently seems to be withholding a firmware update that would allow this phone to update to 8.1, Sprint 8XTs are running 8.1, but not a single 8XT on my MVNO has gotten it yet.
The current firmware I have is 3030.00.10008.651.
According to HTC the latest is 3030.00.31009.651.
I have taken this phone off my MVNO and left it in a drawer for several months hoping that it would roll off whatever database it might be in. I tried to factory reset and then let it update it over wifi (I know Lumias can do that).
It still says no update found. I chatted with an HTC rep online and reading between the lines, he seemed well aware of Sprint's shenanigans. He hinted that ROMS were 'out there' and an updated ROM, even if it weren't the latest, might be enough to trigger an update. I started my Google Fu. Nothing.
Then I read the FAQ in this forum that said if I needed an HTC ROM I was out of luck.
I know enough about flashing and rooting to be dangerous to my phone . This is not my daily phone, but it's frustrating to buy a device that says "ready for 8.1" and then not be able to roam or send MMS. I'm willing to try some warranty voiding behaviors to update it.
All that to say, is there anything else I can try? Again, apologies if this is the wrong forum. I did try a thread search and saw some close topics, but nothing like this.
Thanks
Well, the simple question is "have you tried the Developer Preview program?" because that bypasses the MO gating when your phone gets updated. Developer-unlock your phone (you don't have to sideload anything, the app just checks to see if you're unlocked), install Preview for Developers from the Store (free app from Microsoft), run it, and enable the installation of preview releases. That *should* let your phone get any relevant updates.
If that doesn't work, then I can't help you any further; I'm not a ROM guy.
GoodDayToDie said:
Well, the simple question is "have you tried the Developer Preview program?" because that bypasses the MO gating when your phone gets updated. Developer-unlock your phone (you don't have to sideload anything, the app just checks to see if you're unlocked), install Preview for Developers from the Store (free app from Microsoft), run it, and enable the installation of preview releases. That *should* let your phone get any relevant updates.
If that doesn't work, then I can't help you any further; I'm not a ROM guy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
I have been enrolled in the Developer Preview and have never gotten an update on this phone. I think I got this phone shortly after 8.1 was pulled from the DP due to the WiFi issue. Then I read on some Sprint boards that those *with* the Developer Preview were having issues installing the 8.1 when it was rolled out, so I wiped the phone. It has been several weeks since I tried Developer Preview on this phone. I thought it was on to WP10 and it wouldn't help me much.
Still, can't hurt to try to install it one more time, but I am not hopeful.
Thanks again for your time.
Edit: I think in my earlier attempts I missed the registration and unlocking of my phone. Trying that now.
Edit 2: Now it seems that sometime in May, Microsoft shut down the process for unlocking 8.0 phones with SDK
You might try to unlock the phone with the Chinese utility, but I am not sure that developer preview program really checks if your phone is unlocked. Is there a new firmware for your model in navifirm?
Lanex777 said:
You might try to unlock the phone with the Chinese utility, but I am not sure that developer preview program really checks if your phone is unlocked. Is there a new firmware for your model in navifirm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is made by HTC. Isn't navifirm exclusively Nokia?
I recently had to replace the motherboard on my Nexus 6. I could only find refurbished ones, and bought one on AliExpress, with item description clearly specifying as unlock. I installed it, and it appears it is actually locked status 2. Looks like demo version used in T-Mobile retail network. Some settings inaccessible u such as developer mode or Apps. Trying to get refund but both AliExpress and the vendor are in denial mode.
I have 7.0, NBD92G installed. Very hard to unlock as I cannot access developer mode to allow usb debug. Pressing build nr several times won't help. I get message "you're already a developer" but actually usb debug does not work.
Anybody can help?
Go download factory image from Google and flash it manually by using the command prompt.
@ShernDog: He can't as his bootloader is locked. He can however download an OTA and sideload it.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
@ShernDog: He can't as his bootloader is locked. He can however download an OTA and sideload it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. You are right, bootloader is locked too. Would there be any instructions somewhere on your proposed solution (sorry I am rather inexperienced user).
FYBRU said:
Thanks. You are right, bootloader is locked too. Would there be any instructions somewhere on your proposed solution (sorry I am rather inexperienced user).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I figured out how to do this but the other question is whether I won't be stuck afterwards being requested to enter the only registered user's login which I do not have (I cannot register a second user, as this setting screen is locked too). Do I need to sideload the OTA corresponding to current version / build or can I sideload an older one?
Download the oldest OTA available, as long as it is a full system OTA (easily detectable by size). You're going to have to bypass Factory Reset Protection to be able to resolve this, and the older the OTA, the better.
If this doesn't work, you're going to have to fight with the place you got the motherboard from, and file a chargeback with your credit card company if need be.
Ultimately I can go for the refund, but there is no place where I can find 64 GB MBs outside China, which means I'll have to wait again for something like 3 weeks with poor backup device, and with no certainty I don't receive again a locked MB.
I tried with 6.0 OTAs (page with instructions I followed: https://developers.google.com/android/ota#shamu) and even with just older versions of 7.0, I got every time abortion after about 45% installation, with the msg that I cannot update with older versions.
I am a bit confused now, I just tried to install same build as what I had installed (https://dl.google.com/dl/android/aosp/shamu-ota-nbd92g-2b65257b.zip), it worked but it looks like absolutely nothing has changed on my phone. I thought it would have erased pretty much everything. Am I missing something?
OTA updates don't wipe system. That's why nothing changed.
Ultimately, I think you're going to have to go for the refund and take the risk that the next motherboard you get is going to be locked. Unless the version of Android you're on can have its FRP bypassed - and I don't think it can - you're stuck.
Thanks, bad news. Would it be worth trying wipe data / factory reset accessible from the recovery mode + power/volume up menu ?
You can try it, but it won't help. Doing a factory reset will cause Factory Reset Protection to kick in, meaning you'd need to know the original owner's account information.
Surprisingly it worked. I could log in with the google account I used before the reset. Everything works, but indeed I was expecting some more difficulties
@FYBRU: This is one of those times where I'm pleased to be wrong. LOL.
Glad you got it resolved.
Hi All.
I trust you well. I was wondering if I could request your assistance with updating my TF701T to a new version of android. I have tried many methods and none has worked. I am actually more confused now as to where to start and what to download and install. :silly:
If possible maybe direct me where I could get a step by step guide with the links to the correct downloads/procedure.
I imported the pad from USA to South Africa and barely used it.
Kind Regards
Rob
(h-tee-tee-pee-s) androidbiits.com/root-asus-transformer-pad-tf701t-easily/
probably use the versions of magisk + twrp that are linked at the site, as they are tested with that hardware -- the latest versions may not work. i do not own that particular device and am not a programmer -- just trying to help you out. search the web for info if anything is confusing in the instructions -- i can't really walk you through it, but the person at that site may be able to help you out if you get stuck.
you'll need to connect the asus pad to a computer, so you'll need the usb data cable & adb installed on the computer.
you will likely also need open gapps to get the play store + apps working. select processor type, android version, then variant. you can find it here ==> (h-tee-tee-pee-s) opengapps.org <== but i'm not sure how long that will be functional, as hosting is apparently migrating to sourceforge.
please note that there are no w's in either address mentioned previously.
here's an explanation of gapps ==> (h-tee-tee-pee-s + w's) androidfreeapks.com/apk/download-gapps-for-android/
...and there are also download links for various variations at that last address too. cheers!
you will not be able to install *the latest* version of android (it's just plain not out there as a mod for a device this old) but you *can* get something a bit newer than the stock version on it.
best of luck!
one last thing (pertaining to the very first thing you have to do) is unlock the bootloader.
(h...s + w's) asus.com/us/Tablets/The_New_ASUS_Transformer_PadTF701T/HelpDesk_Download/
you will find the utility to do so at the above site. select Android, then under "Utilities"
click "See All Downloads" - therein, the 2nd thing from the bottom in that section is the unlock tool,
which says: Unlock Device App. V1.o (there's only one thing with that name. size is 448.82 kb)
and it will only work from the stock Android version, which i assume is still functional on your device.
Magisk is apparently a newer replacement for SuperSU, which doesn't flag the system as altered...
therefore you *may not* need to install Gapps if using Magisk - that seems logical to me, but i am not certain.
thanks for the assistance Dorkus.........this is killing me....but I will keep the faith and try again
I am trying myself and cannot get the unlock tool to work, performed wipe data reset without google account and still "network error occurred" . Android version 4.4.2
bobwho said:
I am trying myself and cannot get the unlock tool to work, performed wipe data reset without google account and still "network error occurred" . Android version 4.4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I tried to contact Asus but no hope... We're completely blocked unless they do something? No other way to unlock?
greetings all, it is i, dorkus, of the house of mallorcus. haha. my name is actually reni.
xda keeps locking me out for some reason. i've now created 2 accounts (3 including the one from which this comment is posted) one even with a dedicated e-mail address just for this, but if i try to log in with either one, i get some "invalid" whatever message. admins: what have i said that was grossly incorrect? those links may not be presented in absolutely the most coherent way, but they're the best reasonable explanations of the procedure involved that i could find with about an hour or 2 of research, which i did because of intending to get one of these devices myself (which has now occurred! yay). besides that, who else with greater experience has chimed in on this thread? yes, i've reset my password, on both accounts. after i do so, both times: same "invalid" message. it's wasted over an hour of my time, when i'm just trying to help these people. it's highly annoying & if it continues, well, they'll just have to go it on their own.
to the point:
as luck would have it,
i was able to acquire one of these devices, still in superb condition, for a great deal from ebay. i have been in contact with Asus support & the word is: it's an EOL product, so the unlock servers have been shut down & there is currently no recourse end users have for unlocking their devices. i feel it's doubtful that they'll fire up a server again, but maybe we can pester them enough to develop a fastboot unlock tool? it sure would have been nice if it worked like that in the first place, but oh well, like the song says:
you can't always get what you want.
i will surely let you all know if am able to make any progress on unlocking my TF701T.
footnote: i also have a TF700 model which is in fact unlocked, has TWRP installed, and is running Android 5.1.1 {zombie-pop} which works a bit better than the Cyanogen mod flavor that it came to me with: somewhat improved user experience, maybe a little snappier too, but speed improvement is fairly minimal. most importantly, almost all of my apps work on it - a few don't even have an installer for Android 4 at the Play Store. the 701 is noticeably more responsive than the 700 model, even running 4.2.2 - the main issue with it for me is not being able to run all of my apps, some of which are purchased. i'd probably sell the 700 if i could get everything on the 701. oh well. it's an excellent reader + portable video viewing device even at stock. it's definitely worth what i paid in the condition received, but it'd be even better if i could unlock the bootloader & get a newer version of Android on it! i could possibly even be so happy that i'd float a couple bux Tim Duru's way, the guy primarily responsible for porting Android 6+7 (the latter of which apparently does not have a working camera) to this device.
footnote #2: the first day i got the 701, i tried to do a firmware update (proper region, latest available. full battery charge. the battery in the one i picked up is in fantastic condition, the thing is practically brand new + functions nicely... but now Asus won't let me unlock it, even though it's well out of warranty! grrrrr) which crashed mid-way & then it proceeded to get into an update / crash boot loop. i was pretty sad for a while, but did not give up & found a way to restore the original firmware (which turned out to be a very minor upgrade) from the SD card, thanks to information in a post here in the xda forums. that post is the link which follows. my thing would still go into fastboot (albeit slightly corrupted) + recovery mode, which enabled an SD card firmware flash to happen {...and lo, my little slab of Jelly Bean was resurrected...} so i did not require the NvFlash tool at all... but it's still there at the provided links in that thread.
to summarize the procedure:
1) format an SD card to fat32
2) download the appropriate firmware from Asus [**please note the region: if you flash the firmware from a wrong region onto your device, you will -hard- brick it + will then be required to use the NvFlash tool**]
3) un-zip the firmware (not completely, just remove nesting - so you have only one zip file)
4) rename the one remaining zip file: t4_sdupdate.zip
5) put that file on the root directory of SD card, then into the tablet (while turned off)
6) invoke recovery mode (power + vol down) & choose the recover [RCK] box (hit volume up, while it's the selected of the 3 choices) and from there the firmware update happens automatically. you can apparently upgrade to any official firmware by this method, but **cannot** downgrade... so i'd suggest leaving it at 4.2.2 until we are 100% sure that there are zero bootloader unlock options, because apparently the unlock tool, from what i understand, only works from the original 4.2.2
without further ado:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/transformer-tf701/tf701t-nvflash-unbrick-solutiontested-t3742848
it's now a few hours later from my original post, near bedtime for me, and the xda gods let me log into this account to make this edit... and it's even allowing URLs now! will wonders never cease? not sure what the problem was earlier, but it was quite annoying. anyway, if it lets me log into the account with the dedicated xda e-mail address, that's the one i'll use in future. username is renigade.
fly a kite said:
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello @fly a kite @dorkus mallorcus @renigade
Please consult the inbox of your private messages. Thanks for your cooperation!
Stay safe and stay healthy!
Regards
Oswald Boelcke
Today I got up real pissed with Samsung for being so restrictive around ROM flashing, rooting, flashing custom firmware or even stock firmware, so wanted to create this post to help anybody considering to get a Samsung phone to stay away from it.
This post is not intended to recommend any specific brand or model of android phone, but to recommend the exact opposite, which brand and model NOT TO EVEN THINK of purchasing.
This post relates to Samsung Galaxy S9 G9600 model which is Snapdragon architecture, but since Samsung is coming up with a bunch of "security features" I tend to think this may be the case for other models as well. I browsed all around XDA and other sources for guides on how to root and install custom roms, and it turns out Samsung manages to have limitations for EVERY step of the way.
Getting a few facts straight
Reference post: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga.../rom-lineageos-17-1-s9-s9-snapdragon-t4093301
Ok, so there is a solid thread about a custom firmware and looks like several users got hands on it, but they might have been able to get passed though all Samsung security crap before it came out or before it got so tightened up. I'll list below every limitation I found:
OEM Unlock
There is a step where we need to tick OEM Unlock from the phone developer settings, it turns out Samsung has put a 7-day timer for this option to even appear listed to enable. If you do factory reset of the phone, the 7-day timer restarts. There are a few posts around on how to get passed this timer, but to me they were all crap, none of them worked. STRIKE ONE!
Bootloader unlock
After 7-days, we get the OEM Unlock option to appear, at this point you may think: Hurray!! .... WRONG! Now next step is to unlock the bootloader using an utility called CROM Services... And as you may have already guessed, did not work! I'm able to install the apk, but on launch it complains about wrong android version. (Tried with Android 8 and 10) STRIKE TWO!
There are some posts and guides claiming to be able to unlock bootloader by using fastboot utility, I can't reach to understand how, since fastboot commands rely on the bootloader to be previously unlocked (?). I least that is my understanding, correct me if wrong. Needless to say fastboot did not work for me. ADB lists my device but fastboot doesn't. There are a few troubleshoot guides around to try selecting proper USB driver from windows device manager, tried all that, tried a couple of ADB installations, fastboot didn't work.
Knox and RMM state
After some lookup in the web, Samsung incorporates some security features trying to prevent device theft and such things. For us power users this is in reality just a whole load of crap preventing us to get all the juice out of our phones.
Reference: https://www.goandroid.co.in/unlock-bootloader-of-galaxy-s9-plus-snapdragon/84688/
TWRP Recovery
Next step would be to flash a custom recovery such as TWRP with Odin or adb/fastboot, but since we are not able to unlock the bootloader in previous step, this is not doable at all. STRIKE THREE! OUT!
Fastboot utility doesn't recognize the device in download mode, so we can't send any commands to the phone.
Odin complains it is only able to flash signed stock roms, so since TWRP is not, we cannot flash it.
Rooting
Needless to say that if we don't have TWRP, we cannot flash the corresponding packages to root. Although this step may not be needed to install custom firmware, rooting has not been possible.
Stock ROM Flashing
Ok, so let's stay out of custom firmware - let's play around with stock firmwares. At this point, since flashing stock firmwares is kind of allowed by Samsung I was able to try out a couple from android 8 to 10 with Odin
Stock ROM Source: https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-s9/firmware/#SM-G9600
But watch out! Once you get to install a specific build version, you cannot go back or downgrade to ROMS with previous Android build version. So now that I got Android 10 cannot go back to 8 or 9, this is probably because locked bootloader and unable to unlock. Here, Odin complains with FAIL! (AUTH) message.
STRIKE FOUR! EVEN OUTTER!
SIM Unlock
Ok, let's stay out of Samsung S9 G9600 model, let's crash it to the wall and throw it away to the garbage! Ok no, let's have it carrier unlocked and sell. Unlockbase is a well known and trusted sim unlock provider, I purchased a license to unlock by USB cable, but... GUESS WHAT! G9600 is not supported for unlocking operator network with this software... what a surprise!! I was able to apply for a refund and got my money back, so no worries here.
Note that flashing carrier free ROM does not unlock sim to use with any network operator.
I'll be trying to unlocking by code soon, as this is based on IMEI number, I may think this is independent to the phone model and edition, so I hope I have more luck with this option.
Conclusion
G9600 is a really crappy phone to mess around with. I may have ran low on luck with this specific Samsung Galaxy model since I got it as a gift, which is the latinamerican crappy edition. I wonder if other S9 editions and other Samsung models run with better luck than mine on this scenery... But as a lesson to myself, I will stay away of any Samsung smartphone in the foreseeable future.
OEM Unlock
The 7-day lock prevents stolen phones from being factory reset, leaving the thief with a phone permanently protected by your account. While a minor inconvenience, it's actually effective and not the worst compared to other manufacturers.
Bootloader Unlock
After OEM Unlocking, flashing TWRP through ODIN is effectively unlocking the bootloader. This is possible on both exynos and snap.
Knox and RMM
While this is an inconvenience, from Samsung's point of view, it's worth it. It makes the phone look more secure in the eyes of potential customers. If you really wish for NFC payments, I'm still able to use GPay with Magisk on a custom ROM.
TWRP Recovery
TWRP is flashed through ODIN, not fastboot. Look up an actual guide before complaining.
Root
Yes you can
Stock ROM Flashing
The one thing I could agree on with you is Samsung disabling OTA updates when OEM unlocking. I don't see the point really, but you're free to flash whatever you want through ODIN. Downgrading shouldn't be an issue. Not sure what's up with that.
Before buying a phone, how about you do some research before crying on forums. As a power user coming from the Oneplus One, I don't regret going for Samsung in the least.
Thanks for your reply, I had dropped all hope after several attempts over last few weeks. Found this option and I was able to get past my blocking issue with TWRP and moved on.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...er-development/g9650zhu6dta7-android-t4051751
I have G960F and have to admit I totally disagree with your original post. I've been using custom ROMs on nearly every phone I ever had and don't think S9 (G960F) is bad in terms of unlocking. Just did an OEM unlock, waited a week, flashed TWRP through Odin, booted straight to TWRP and immediately flashed a custom ROM from it (because a boot to the stock ROM would replace TWRP back with the stock recovery IIRC). In the end I got sick of all the problems with Magisk and non-working google pay that I went back to the stock ROM - making S9 the first phone I use with a stock ROM even though it can be flashed. I think it's a great phone for power users.
And as far as SIM unlock goes - Samsung is not to blame, the carrier the phone was made for (and purchased from) is. Phones that Samsung itself sells are unlocked. I wonder why there's still some countries where SIM locking remains legal.
This thread is a prime example of how people end up with bricked devices. So much misinformation in one page LOL
I had the 9650 and most of what I'm doing here is user error. This was one of the best devices I've ever owned. I mention of fast boot and such you obviously just do not know samsung devices. You can't blame samsung on your own ignorance
I have read through many posts here in the forum, where I got some tips that I have tried, but nothing that totally applied to my problem, only parts of it. I have upgraded my phone with every firmware of the Open_EU since January 2020 without any problem using LGUP. Last time I upgraded to Android 10 in August, it was also successful but then check nt-code: 222201: ff started to appear everytime I turned on the phone. It's annoying, but not a big problem since the phone works perfect. However I tried to upgrade to Android 10 v405ebw30c recently, and now LGUP can't make the upgrade, it says can't cross-DL, with a strange message judypn_lao_eea ->judypn_lao_com. Could the NT-code be the cause of this? I also tried to enter the hidden menu, *#546368#*405# and I can see the nt code, but I can't change it. Nothing happens. Will I have to root my phone to make this work? or are there other options?
Some history, this phone doesn't officially exist in Sweden, where I live. However, it's possible to buy it anyway. It was sold as brand new and unlocked. The first week I discovered that I couldn't make the officially update . Then I found out it's originally italian (TIM), and probably someone that unlocked afterwards. But maybe not properly made since it was problem to make upgrades with LG Bridge. And when I succefully managed to make the upgrade with LGUP I decided to keep the phone anyway, because I liked it too much. But since this NT code started to appear after the Android 10 upgrade, I wondered if maybe there's some "leftovers" from TIM italy. So is rooting the only option for me? Except for the upgrade problems it works perfect every day.
suain81 said:
I have read through many posts here in the forum, where I got some tips that I have tried, but nothing that totally applied to my problem, only parts of it. I have upgraded my phone with every firmware of the Open_EU since January 2020 without any problem using LGUP. Last time I upgraded to Android 10 in August, it was also successful but then check nt-code: 222201: ff started to appear everytime I turned on the phone. It's annoying, but not a big problem since the phone works perfect. However I tried to upgrade to Android 10 v405ebw30c recently, and now LGUP can't make the upgrade, it says can't cross-DL, with a strange message judypn_lao_eea ->judypn_lao_com. Could the NT-code be the cause of this? I also tried to enter the hidden menu, *#546368#*405# and I can see the nt code, but I can't change it. Nothing happens. Will I have to root my phone to make this work? or are there other options?
Some history, this phone doesn't officially exist in Sweden, where I live. However, it's possible to buy it anyway. It was sold as brand new and unlocked. The first week I discovered that I couldn't make the officially update . Then I found out it's originally italian (TIM), and probably someone that unlocked afterwards. But maybe not properly made since it was problem to make upgrades with LG Bridge. And when I succefully managed to make the upgrade with LGUP I decided to keep the phone anyway, because I liked it too much. But since this NT code started to appear after the Android 10 upgrade, I wondered if maybe there's some "leftovers" from TIM italy. So is rooting the only option for me? Except for the upgrade problems it works perfect every day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure, but worth a try,I warn the site is Russian, here's how to edit NT code https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=951883&view=findpost&p=100635159 here is a list of NT codes:View attachment NT_code.txtunfortunately needed root!working with QFIL do backup ftm.bin!
lexih said:
I'm not sure, but worth a try,I warn the site is Russian, here's how to edit NT code here is a list of NT codes:View attachment 5134107unfortunately needed root!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I have read many instructions even on this page how to edit, cust_path_mapping.cfg, and that it's surely easy once the phone is rooted. But that's why I first wanted to see the possibilities to do this without that I have to root the phone.
suain81 said:
I have read through many posts here in the forum, where I got some tips that I have tried, but nothing that totally applied to my problem, only parts of it. I have upgraded my phone with every firmware of the Open_EU since January 2020 without any problem using LGUP. Last time I upgraded to Android 10 in August, it was also successful but then check nt-code: 222201: ff started to appear everytime I turned on the phone. It's annoying, but not a big problem since the phone works perfect. However I tried to upgrade to Android 10 v405ebw30c recently, and now LGUP can't make the upgrade, it says can't cross-DL, with a strange message judypn_lao_eea ->judypn_lao_com. Could the NT-code be the cause of this? I also tried to enter the hidden menu, *#546368#*405# and I can see the nt code, but I can't change it. Nothing happens. Will I have to root my phone to make this work? or are there other options?
Some history, this phone doesn't officially exist in Sweden, where I live. However, it's possible to buy it anyway. It was sold as brand new and unlocked. The first week I discovered that I couldn't make the officially update . Then I found out it's originally italian (TIM), and probably someone that unlocked afterwards. But maybe not properly made since it was problem to make upgrades with LG Bridge. And when I succefully managed to make the upgrade with LGUP I decided to keep the phone anyway, because I liked it too much. But since this NT code started to appear after the Android 10 upgrade, I wondered if maybe there's some "leftovers" from TIM italy. So is rooting the only option for me? Except for the upgrade problems it works perfect every day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, u have 2 problems right? u want to upgrade to v405ebw30c, but can't, and you also have the nt-code error right?
First, no, they aren't related. I think that's highly unlikely. That's not something lgup checks for. I'd bet you're using the 1.14 version dll and should be using the 1.16 dll and should be doing a refurbish.
As far as the nt-code error. It's a pain, lots and lots of info about fixing it, most of them need root. But here's what worked for me, no root needed: I switched from att pie to Korean open Q (first time had the nt-error and no editing anything would fix it), so went back to att and then did the korean 409N again, first with partition DL. Let that finish, it has to reboot the phone completely to finish. Then, don't change the phone in anyway, just shut it off. Back to LGUP and do a Refurbish with the same kdz.
No more nt-error code. It *seems* that nt-error code info gets propagated to various partitions as a part of refurbish. I verified that the ftm partition, where that information lives, was completely spaces (blank) after the refurbish... it's odd, I know. But for whatever reason, I no longer have the nt-error code problem.
cheers
AsItLies said:
So, u have 2 problems right? u want to upgrade to v405ebw30c, but can't, and you also have the nt-code error right?
First, no, they aren't related. I think that's highly unlikely. That's not something lgup checks for. I'd bet you're using the 1.14 version dll and should be using the 1.16 dll and should be doing a refurbish.
As far as the nt-code error. It's a pain, lots and lots of info about fixing it, most of them need root. But here's what worked for me, no root needed: I switched from att pie to Korean open Q (first time had the nt-error and no editing anything would fix it), so went back to att and then did the korean 409N again, first with partition DL. Let that finish, it has to reboot the phone completely to finish. Then, don't change the phone in anyway, just shut it off. Back to LGUP and do a Refurbish with the same kdz.
No more nt-error code. It *seems* that nt-error code info gets propagated to various partitions as a part of refurbish. I verified that the ftm partition, where that information lives, was completely spaces (blank) after the refurbish... it's odd, I know. But for whatever reason, I no longer have the nt-error code problem.
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. No I don't know if they're related either, it was just a guess since the problems started at the same time. Well, I always had a kind of "problem" since I never have been able to upgrade from LG Bridge. And that I guess is from the NT-code. But the sign in the start appeared after the Android 10 upgrade. However, I'm using LGUP 1.16.0.3 and I have used it everytime, with DLL version 1.9.39.7.
And actually it wouldn't bother me too much having this sign in the start anyway, I only restart the phone like once per week. But of course it bothers me that I can't make the upgrade like before. And I can also mention that I have never tried to refurbish with LGUP, only upgrades, because I have some bank apps etc. that are a bit complicated to reinstall. Of course it's possible, but I have to be mentally prepared for it. So I'll only do that when I know there's no other option. And the phone work good today, so I'm not in a rush, but in a couple of months I should be doing an upgrade of course.
And thanks for telling me the other option too, I will surely try it one day but since it also requires refurbish I will try after I fail to make the normal refurbish.
I don't have any experience of rooting, if I root my phone, will I keep all the data or is it comparable to refurbish? Are the any other risks rooting the phone? I'll lose the warranty, but I don't really have the warranty anyway since it's not an official product in my country.
suain81 said:
I don't have any experience of rooting, if I root my phone, will I keep all the data or is it comparable to refurbish? Are the any other risks rooting the phone? I'll lose the warranty, but I don't really have the warranty anyway since it's not an official product in my country.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, to root, you loose all data and have to start again. Part of rooting is to flash dm-verity which turns off encryption. But, that allows you to do a backup of the data partition once you've reinstalled everything. The positive side there is that in the future, you could back up that partition (data), make any other changes, then flash data back, and your apps would be back as they were.
Other risks? Well, maybe, if the phone was stolen I guess, it would be easier for someone to steal your data. Your situation, with serious banking apps, it **may be** you don't want that risk...
Maybe for just trying a refurb to lose nt-code, look at LG's 'restore' from previous device ability, use it to save off the apps somewhere, then restore after refurb? no root needed.
cheers