SM-G965F on T-Mobile, what are my options? - Samsung Galaxy S9+ Questions & Answers

So I learned the hard way that you can't have it all.
I travel for work quite a bit and I was in the Middle East working when my Verizon S7 Edge started to have problems. I looked for a replacement in Dubai and was happy to find the S9+ at a reasonable price and with the 256GB option (which I wasn't finding in the US). I popped in my Verizon sim and life was good.
Then I returned to the US and. nothing. worked. I had forgotten that Verizon was strictly CDMA in the US and this phone had no CDMA radio.
I also was noticing that the samsung pay app was locked to the UAE version which was annoying but not a huge issue...I couldn't add American Express credit card which may or may not have been due to that region setting.
So in order to actually get service I switched to T-Mobile and have had decent data rates. However the phone doesn't use volte or wifi calling which is very bad since where I am staying is somewhat of a dead spot for mobile coverage. I basically can't receive phone calls here and making a call requires me to wait about a minute for the phone to figure out what protocol to connect to (dowleveling to either a 3g or H to actually connect and dial).
My initial research tells me that I don't want to root the phone and lose all ability to use samsung pay, but I would love to do as much as I can to the phone to get it working as best as possible.
Can someone chime in here to let me know what's possible? I don't want to experiment too much, and it's been rare over the years for me to keep up with all the root/firmware/rom etc. that has become available. My last real era of rooting phones was many years ago with iPhone and even then it was a lot to keep up with.
thanks in advance!

bump.
Anyone?

I had the same issue. I ended up rooting to get TMobile volte/wifi-calling. Also, by rooting you can also use Verizon Wireless; however, only with LTE.
You could use Google Pay lol.
Furthermore, I suck at giving reasons, but that's what I did.

Don't quote me on this, but from what I understand, you can use the patched ODIN and flash the firmware's CSC outside of it's region and change it to XAA. There is also a guide to changing CSC without root that may work as well.

From what I understand, the G965F is unable to load the XAA csc without root since it is only for the Snapdragon version

I ended up using Tekhd's tmobile detonator after I bricked my G965F/DS atleast 3 times. It works great now.
The way to change csc without root is via a combination rom and using Realterm. Using TMB CSC on a global G965F/DS ROM will end up in a PUK code lock. I tried ALL the US CSC on my G965F to confirm this.

Related

Flashing to another Carrier's firmware using an unlocked phone

Hey,
I don't know if this is too device specific, but I have a Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SM-G955U). It was originally AT&T, though I got it unlocked the day I purchased it. I use it with T-Mobile now, and I never was able to update my phone since I switched. Turns out, it was because you can only do so using AT&T activated SIM cards. Literally had to get a prepaid to update it.
My questions is: Since I have an unlocked phone and use it with T-Mobile, is it possible for me to flash T-Mobile's firmware updates to my phone without consequence instead of having to get an AT&T SIM card every time to get their firmware?
I did some research, but was not able to come up with a definitive answer. It would really save me a lot of trouble if such is possible.
If not, any other way I can update without having to get through AT&T's prepaid SIMs?
Really would appreciate any help given. This has been driving me insane.
Thanks!

Getting WIFI calling from TMUS on the S9+ SM-G965F/DS

Hello - I've been trying to research how I can get Wifi calling enabled on my 965F but I get all kinds of twisted up with all the different model numbers and lingo of flashing ROM's so I'm hoping something might be willing to point me in the right direction. I have a brand new S9+ 965F model with the Exynos processor on T-Mobile US. The Wifi calling option is missing which I did not expect but after reading is not unusual. I keep reading about needing to flash a particular ROM in order for it to be enabled - something about XEU or U1 perhaps? I'm of course a bit worried about turning the phone into a brick but I'm willing to take a reasonable risk to get Wifi calling unlocked.
Can anyone help? I would really appreciate it!
I have an ATT one with snapdragon, looking for the same, enable WIFI calling mine is a G9650
Same issue
Hey Mate,
Have you find a solution for your problem? Got the same issue with my G965f/DS. Moved to US and Wifi Calling wont work on TM and ATT. I've even tested on smaller providers and still same problem. I travel a lot and need Wifi Calling when I'm abroad.
Please, let me know if you guys have any solution for this problem.
Thank you,
Unfortunately I ended up returning the phone. After hours of digging the bottom line I believe is that there is no carrier profile for US carriers in this version of the phone and then I think the next issue is it doesn't support the proper bands. I ended up getting the OnePlus 6T instead.
I read flashing a ROM from a country with VoLTE and Wifi calling enabled, lets you see the settings.
I have an s9+ from UAE and I'm waiting for Pie release on INS ROM (India) to flash it and see if it works in my country (Argentina)
Sent from S.G. S9+ Duos
I'm in the same boat, no knowledge of if or when WiFi calling will be available for unlocked phones. Just a shame that such an important feature that worked on my old iPhone 6 isn't available in a supposed "flagship" product. That's just really shoddy workmanship.

I have an unlocked S9+ originally from T-Mobile. WiFi Calling is gone.

OK, so I was with T-Mobile forever, and I bought this phone from them at launch. I decided to switch over to MetroPCS by T-Mobile because it's cheaper, so I paid off my phone then unlocked it (Even though I didn't need too, the Metro SIM worked in it before I unlocked it).
It worked fine for two weeks, and I had WiFi calling and everything, and then the RJ5 (I believe?) update came out, and when my phone booted up it said new sim detected, and WiFi calling was gone. My APN settings were set to MetroPCS', so I set it back to the T-Mobile one since it's essentially the same network, but the WiFi calling option is *completely* gone; it's not there, trust me. I call MetroPCS support and they said they can't enable it for devices that weren't bought from them, and I tried to argue like sure you can, send it up to a higher level support team, but I could hardly understand her and gave up.
I went into a MetroPCS store and they had a spare T-Mobile SIM, popped it in, boom WiFi calling was back.
Come OneUI Pie update one, I opt in and update, and voila, WiFi calling is back!
I just downloaded the second update last night, and now it's gone again. This **** is driving me crazy, if anyone can help me figure out a way to fix this I will love you forever.
Wow, that was a gripping good yarn! I think there's a good chance that if you switch to the unlocked G965U1 firmware, it might work. I have an unlocked Verizon S9+ running on TMO, and once I flashed it to U1, wifi calling and volte worked automatically. I'm not positive how it will be with Metro but it is worth looking into. When you flash the collect unlocked firmware, when the phone boots up it will detect your sim and then reboot and configure all the settings for you.
P.S. I don't suppose there's Metro firmware out there?
I don't think there's Metro firmware, because my updates still come from T-Mobile. T-Mobile owns Metro. So what you're saying is flash the firmware via Odin and my phone would be like truly unlocked and I would get updates from Samsung rather than T-Mobile? I don't want to go through all this if it isn't a a certain fix, but sadly there's no way to tell that.
YrrchSebor said:
Wow, that was a gripping good yarn! I think there's a good chance that if you switch to the unlocked G965U1 firmware, it might work. I have an unlocked Verizon S9+ running on TMO, and once I flashed it to U1, wifi calling and volte worked automatically. I'm not positive how it will be with Metro but it is worth looking into. When you flash the collect unlocked firmware, when the phone boots up it will detect your sim and then reboot and configure all the settings for you.
P.S. I don't suppose there's Metro firmware out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there's Metro firmware, because my updates still come from T-Mobile. T-Mobile owns Metro. So what you're saying is flash the firmware via Odin and my phone would be like truly unlocked and I would get updates from Samsung rather than T-Mobile? I don't want to go through all this if it isn't a a certain fix, but sadly there's no way to tell that.
For some carriers, the Wifi calling requires the phone to have carrier firmware. Verizon is one. I bought my 9+ from Samsung unlocked, and it didn't have wifi calling on Verizon until I reflashed the phone (using Patched ODIN) to a Verizon firmware and Wifi calling works... as does the Verizon bloat, but most of that can be disabled with Package Disabler pro or similar app.
creedicd said:
For some carriers, the Wifi calling requires the phone to have carrier firmware. Verizon is one. I bought my 9+ from Samsung unlocked, and it didn't have wifi calling on Verizon until I reflashed the phone (using Patched ODIN) to a Verizon firmware and Wifi calling works... as does the Verizon bloat, but most of that can be disabled with Package Disabler pro or similar app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think MetroPCS has it's own firmware for the s9+. Plus, they're owned by T-Mobile now. The plan I'm on is called MetroPCS by T-Mobile lol. This is driving me nuts.
C-4Nati said:
I don't think MetroPCS has it's own firmware for the s9+. Plus, they're owned by T-Mobile now. The plan I'm on is called MetroPCS by T-Mobile lol. This is driving me nuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of curiosity I read around a little bit and it seems to be really hit and miss, which definitely seems to match up with your experience. I did find this post on Reddit from someone saying they got Wi-Fi calling to work with a Metro Sim: https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/co...g_volte_not_working_with_metropcs_sim/cymnvhf
Have you come across that, tried any of that?
YrrchSebor said:
Out of curiosity I read around a little bit and it seems to be really hit and miss, which definitely seems to match up with your experience. I did find this post on Reddit from someone saying they got Wi-Fi calling to work with a Metro Sim: https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/co...g_volte_not_working_with_metropcs_sim/cymnvhf
Have you come across that, tried any of that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not, thanks for the link, I shall try that. Funnily enough, there was a hotfix pushed out last night and WiFi calling not working was on that list. I now have the WiFi calling icon in the notification bar, and it shows like it's on, but it doesn't actually work, and me pressing it does nothing. The setting itself still isn't in connections or anywhere in the settings. This is so dumb, lol.

Galaxy S9+ SM-965F/DS T-Mobile WI-FI Calling / VoLTE issue

Hey everybody,
So recently i bought this international unlocked Galaxy S9+ (SM-965F/DS Exynos processor) off Amazon and it's great, everything is fine with the one major exception being that at home my signal is pretty poor and i get extremely delayed text messages coming in and calls taking forever to dial out or failing to connect. Not a problem, i'll turn on Wi-Fi calling, right? Wrong, option isn't available, some detail: I'm in the US on T-Mobile, updated to the latest Pie OS update, i'm very tech-capable and used to do tier 2 tech support for Verizon. Long story short, I've tried everything in the book including FDR and fresh setup as well as clearing system cache etc. and it's looking like the ONLY solution to get Wi-Fi calling (and subsequently VoLTE that i didn't realize wasn't enabled until researching and checking myself) enabled is to flash the ROM with a T-Mobile OS. Unfortunately i'm coming up negative trying to find the firmware for this phone. Plenty of resources out there for the SM-965U(Snapdragon), but none for the SM-965F(Exynos) as of yet as far as i can tell (and before any ignorance jumps in here as i've seen on other threads, NO the SM-965U software will NOT work on this model phone as it runs a different processor, non-Snapdragon Exynos chipset)
So, that all being said, is anyone out there working on a fix for this, is it likely i'll ever get a fix for this, and/or is the fix already available and I've just completely missed it? Any information or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration.
bahruuk said:
Hey everybody,
So recently i bought this international unlocked Galaxy S9+ (SM-965F/DS Exynos processor) off Amazon and it's great, everything is fine with the one major exception being that at home my signal is pretty poor and i get extremely delayed text messages coming in and calls taking forever to dial out or failing to connect. Not a problem, i'll turn on Wi-Fi calling, right? Wrong, option isn't available, some detail: I'm in the US on T-Mobile, updated to the latest Pie OS update, i'm very tech-capable and used to do tier 2 tech support for Verizon. Long story short, I've tried everything in the book including FDR and fresh setup as well as clearing system cache etc. and it's looking like the ONLY solution to get Wi-Fi calling (and subsequently VoLTE that i didn't realize wasn't enabled until researching and checking myself) enabled is to flash the ROM with a T-Mobile OS. Unfortunately i'm coming up negative trying to find the firmware for this phone. Plenty of resources out there for the SM-965U(Snapdragon), but none for the SM-965F(Exynos) as of yet as far as i can tell (and before any ignorance jumps in here as i've seen on other threads, NO the SM-965U software will NOT work on this model phone as it runs a different processor, non-Snapdragon Exynos chipset)
So, that all being said, is anyone out there working on a fix for this, is it likely i'll ever get a fix for this, and/or is the fix already available and I've just completely missed it? Any information or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm currently researching the very same issue... So far i hypothesize , with no knowledge, that if it is rooted, you can then change the csc settings and configure it for TMO, thus enabling WiFi calling. If someone can confirm, that'd be great, otherwise i'm trudging slowly to verify.
Root and use tekhd detonator.
CynicalHeight00 said:
Root and use tekhd detonator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i looked at this and it looks like a non-stock rom i'm sure wrought with problems that unfortunately is not helpful. My goal here is to have my phone work and continue to get standard updates with original and licensed (more or less) software and have it actually work. I'm not interested in a full OS replacement pre-loaded with a bunch of adblockers and other crap the designer thought would be useful, just want my standard features enabled and nothing else to change if at all possible. Also, if you believe my statement here is in error please explain, your one line really isn't very helpful, and nowhere on their website is there any description as to what tekhd detonator does / is supposed to do / what it will break. I'm certainly not risking bricking my phone when their own website says under all of its S9+ related material that it's for Snapdragon which the variant i have again doesn't use Snapdragon.
bahruuk said:
Well i looked at this and it looks like a non-stock rom i'm sure wrought with problems that unfortunately is not helpful. My goal here is to have my phone work and continue to get standard updates with original and licensed (more or less) software and have it actually work. I'm not interested in a full OS replacement pre-loaded with a bunch of adblockers and other crap the designer thought would be useful, just want my standard features enabled and nothing else to change if at all possible. Also, if you believe my statement here is in error please explain, your one line really isn't very helpful, and nowhere on their website is there any description as to what tekhd detonator does / is supposed to do / what it will break. I'm certainly not risking bricking my phone when their own website says under all of its S9+ related material that it's for Snapdragon which the variant i have again doesn't use Snapdragon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is going to be a hassle trust me. even with the Snapdragon models from different CSCs VoLTE and Wifi Calling do not carry over. An ATT 965U would have to be reflashed with the TMobile CSC and USERDATA files to get access to TMobile features. U are trying to do this with an Exynos model. I think you would have to root and install a custom firmware that has the TMobile USERDATA embedded.
Good luck.
can the U1 be flashed to the verizon u firmware? i thought i read someone tried this, but suspected it didn't work because he had previously used the phone with verizon with the unlocked firmware...
methcat said:
can the U1 be flashed to the verizon u firmware? i thought i read someone tried this, but suspected it didn't work because he had previously used the phone with verizon with the unlocked firmware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash the G965U onto the G965U1 and vice versa. It's been well documented that this will let us go from one carrier firmware to another as well as let us have the unbranded carrier firmware. The only catch to this is the bootloader version of the firmware your wanting to flash. The firmware one wishes to flash must have a bootloader version equal too (or greater then) what is currently on the phone.
If your trying to ask about flashing the U1 onto an exynos variant then the answer is definitely no. You can't flash firmware from a different model onto a different model.

Tmobile S21 Ultra unlocked last month. CSC Shows TMB/XAA. Is this an issue?

I recently moved tmobile to usmobile CDMA/Verizon. Tmobile unlocked my phone without any issues.
I was expecting the next security update to be a fresh/vanilla samsung rom.
This didn't happen. I have read multiple things about people having issues with non-tmobile bands working on the device if the CSC is wrong. USMobile has me manually set the APNs and the phone connects to 4g/5g without issue. However the ultra wide band does not seem to want to work.
Is there an issue here? It's really hard to tell. Should I wipe the device? I really don't have the means to install a downloaded firmware at this moment. At the end of the day, I don't care that it's branded - just that it functions on the CDMA network fully. If it wont, then I will jump over to the GSM side of USMobile.

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