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Greetings to all from a noob... I bring you questions about my first smartphone - a Docomo NTT branded Fujitsu F12C (it can dive underwater!) running Android 2.3.4...
Now... it is full of Japanese language apps and generally the menus themselves are... I'll stop short of calling it "broken english" (because it's not that bad, but still slightly strange). Also, the keyboard input is cluttered with Japanese input keys and options.
I tried uninstalling a lot of the apps but half of them remain regardless.
So my question is - how do I clean up this phone? Is it called debranding? I've read about debranding and flashing ROMs a bit... but I concluded that I need to find this 'ROM' for my particular phone... something I've been unable to do... Is there anyway to simply install a generic Android OS onto it and start from there? I don't really care about voiding warranty (the phone is made in Japan which is a warranty in itself) but I do not want to risk destroying the phone at the same time (it cost too much).
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
VitoPito said:
Greetings to all from a noob... I bring you questions about my first smartphone - a Docomo NTT branded Fujitsu F12C (it can dive underwater!) running Android 2.3.4...
Now... it is full of Japanese language apps and generally the menus themselves are... I'll stop short of calling it "broken english" (because it's not that bad, but still slightly strange). Also, the keyboard input is cluttered with Japanese input keys and options.
I tried uninstalling a lot of the apps but half of them remain regardless.
So my question is - how do I clean up this phone? Is it called debranding? I've read about debranding and flashing ROMs a bit... but I concluded that I need to find this 'ROM' for my particular phone... something I've been unable to do... Is there anyway to simply install a generic Android OS onto it and start from there? I don't really care about voiding warranty (the phone is made in Japan which is a warranty in itself) but I do not want to risk destroying the phone at the same time (it cost too much).
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never heard of this phone until now. I googled it and was WOW by how awesome it looks and all the features. ANYWAYS, the only way I think you could possibly get rid of all the Japanese menus and stuff like that is to possibly try to do a factory reset to where it prompts you for the setup and select English as your language and re-enter all your google account information and such......GOOD LUCK bro as I also found that there is little information on rooting this sucker let alone having custom roms for it.
mazdarider23 said:
I never heard of this phone until now. I googled it and was WOW by how awesome it looks and all the features. ANYWAYS, the only way I think you could possibly get rid of all the Japanese menus and stuff like that is to possibly try to do a factory reset to where it prompts you for the setup and select English as your language and re-enter all your google account information and such......GOOD LUCK bro as I also found that there is little information on rooting this sucker let alone having custom roms for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a really nice phone indeed. But I tried the factory reset... It only deletes any data I input beforehand...
I guess I just have to wait for it to become more popular?
hello, my friend, do you know how to do a hard reste on this phone, a forgot the patern lock and a c'ant use the phone
So, my dad dropped his phone, cracked the screen. Only way to repair it was to send it back to Japan. Instead of repairing it, they sent back a brand new phone. A locked new phone. Wouldn't give me the sim unlock code so had to send it back again. Finally came back still locked!
Does anyone know anywhere to get the unlock code? Just sad throwing away $700...
Only Docomo shop unlock this phone and do not give unlock code, if you want unlock you have to bring to Docomo shop.
So maybe the question from the title is a little bit unclear.
The problem that i had with my phone is that one day, i got a message that a new android version appeared(4.1.2)...and obviously i clicked to download it. After the download and install when it was time to enter in my new version, a screen where a password was required appeared, saying something that my phone is encrypted, and a pass is needed to make i work...Problem is that i didn't have a previous password...
So anyway i restarted the phone...and android didn't even brought me to that screen...it just wouldn't load...So i decided to take matters in my own hands (not the best decision i made that day)...
I searched online how to do that...i found about odin..installed it ...and then tried to install android...Problem is that odin gave me errors when trying to upload the kit or something (i was in download mode with the phone)..when odin gave errors i either disconected the cable from the phone, or in some cases i got pissed off and removed the battery...
My question is...could i have broken my phone permanently by doing that ? Like i don't know...in a way..that neither an expert could fix it?
Thanks
You can scramble the NAND so badly it has to be replaced if a flash goes bad/you flash something you shouldn't be flashing (or if you do dopey things like pull a USB cable in the middle of a flash), and the way that's done is by replacing the motherboard, so you can certainly cause damage that costs money to repair, but it can pretty much always be repaired one way or another.
I seriously doubt you could bork a phone completely beyond all repair via firmware/software & without physically damaging components.
No physical damage was made to the phone...
Assuming all the alien language things that you said ...so the worst case scenario...do you have any idea how much a new motherboard would cost?
Varies widely depending on country/how much labor costs in your country. Samsung don't sell new motherboards on their own, you can either pay an authorised service centre to put a new one in (most expensive option, you normally keep your existing IMEI), or you can get a 2nd hand board from a broken/'donor' phone (How much you'll pay for one again highly variable depending on how much someone wants for their busted phone, search eBay/Google) & either swap it into your phone yourself, or if you're not confident with that sort of thing pay a local mobile repair shop to swap the boards for you (least expensive option, your IMEI will change to that of the phone the board came from).
Edit - If what I said in my PP was 'alien', I'd suggest you shouldn't have been messing with your phone in the first place & should probably avoid same when you get it fixed as well.
Teshte said:
So maybe the question from the title is a little bit unclear.
The problem that i had with my phone is that one day, i got a message that a new android version appeared(4.1.2)...and obviously i clicked to download it. After the download and install when it was time to enter in my new version, a screen where a password was required appeared, saying something that my phone is encrypted, and a pass is needed to make i work...Problem is that i didn't have a previous password...
So anyway i restarted the phone...and android didn't even brought me to that screen...it just wouldn't load...So i decided to take matters in my own hands (not the best decision i made that day)...
I searched online how to do that...i found about odin..installed it ...and then tried to install android...Problem is that odin gave me errors when trying to upload the kit or something (i was in download mode with the phone)..when odin gave errors i either disconected the cable from the phone, or in some cases i got pissed off and removed the battery...
My question is...could i have broken my phone permanently by doing that ? Like i don't know...in a way..that neither an expert could fix it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long story short, Yes your device could be "Broken" in such a way that the only option is to replace the motherboard. You atleast tried reading and doing something, dude there are several thread regarding this matter try different strategies, try out your luck, ask questions, but don't get your hopes too high.
Sorry pal, I wish you the best of all the luck in this tiny planet of ours.
Edit : sorry I was too late, I actually started the reply almost after you posted it but I went away had a coffee then completed it.
Edit: lol to actually make a phone completely unrecoverable you might need a sledgehammer, no software related issue in the world can completely damage an electronic device(unless that software was related to triggering a nuke).
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
A while ago I took advantage of a Verizon deal (big mistake). I got a tablet for a roommate as well as myself. We had a falling out, he moved away and changed his number, contact info, everything... and the tablet was returned to me..... factory reset.
The tablet wants the original Google Account to sign in before it will initiate any setup. No way past this point.
I've contacted several different Verizon and Google tech supports and QTASUN for help always to be referred to the next company (it's not our fault, etc). Over the past 6 months trying for a solution within Warranty, i'm giving up. :crying:
(Verizon - We just sell the tablet
Google - It's a Hardware safety, it's designed that way
QTASUN - It's software security, ^)
I've asked Verizon stores and techs from different locations about flashing the Tablet for me and some I even have to explain what 'flashing' is and was told 'we don't do that'. Another associate told me 'it would require a level '5' tech on site to flash it, however it's 'against the rules' anyway.'
Please help. I'm paying for a Tablet I am unable to even use, and it's physically in perfect condition. Near new.
I don't know the first thing to prepare to flash anything, however I'm not completely illiterate when it comes to computers. I only want to be able to use the tablet... don't care so much about OEM unlocking and removing bloatware (although nice option). Any help will be greatly appreciated. TY
-Very tired and disappointed Verizon customer.
Look up bypass Google frp lock. I managed to get past the screen where it asks for the previous Google account on an LG X Power I found in the street. It had been driven over but I figured out the only thing damaged was the battery. So after I replaced the battery, I did a factory reset and it asked for my old login which I obviously didn't know. There wasn't a guide that directly helped me but I managed to create my own way of getting passed it with all the different methodologies I looked up. The first thing you should find out is if you can get chrome to open up during the initial set up. It usually involves going into accessibility and finding a link to some terms and conditions page or something, which in turn opens up chrome.
I have a A52 5g and a tab S7+ wifi, that are both remotely controled and monitored, and serve as gateway to my home network and basicaly every device connected to it. I noticed it at first and mew NOTHING related to this, didnt even know what open source was. Since then i have come to understand that, somehow, my phone seems to run a custom version of android, my guess is, built from AOSP and designed to disguise itself as oem samsung ui, but in background enables remote access and total takeover of every function. I have discovered, using total commander, that storage has been partitioned in 2 separate locations, and that one folder in there is called root system file, and filled with data/apk/installkits/etc.. this has me asking for help in 2 specific questions:
Am i holding a rooted device or is there another possibility that creates this situation? I was convinced its rooted untill i read here that root prevents from using samsung pass, secure folder etc.. and those seem to work on mine(or is it a version of those apps?) If its indeed rooted, will it wype everything if i flash it with the stock rom? And should i trust a small cell repair store to do that or learn how to do it myself?
2: i have bought 3 brand new phones since august, and made sure not to use my usual accounts, no use backups, not even set it up near my home wifi, and it almost instantly started self installing harmful software in background. I see no other way for it to link itself to be owned by me at initial setup, but for the sim card, new of course, but with my usual phone number and service transfered to it. Is that enough to make a breach and compromise a new device? If so, what would be different after fpashing the stock rom, if everything reinstalls itself? Do i need to change my number? Change cellular service provider even? I know its an unusual request but im a fast learner, i have compiled lots of technical info on specific apps, ip's, servers, build id numbers etc.. that i know would make more sense to anyone more qualified than me, and i am about ready to try and wype/flash the thing myself, i just would feel better with a little help since i have gone this far pretty much alone, since no service provider or manifacturer actualy feels like this is their problem to solve....
Here you can download firmware for your phone and flash with Odin, which you can also download at the bottom of the page, there are instructions on how to do it also.
Make sure to download correct firmware for exact device you have. There are few different A52 5G models.. SM-A526B, SM-A526U, SM-A5260, SM-A526U1, SM-A526W.
You will lose all data after flashing new firmware. After this your phone will be like brand new from Samsung..
If your device is rooted then that means your warranty is void and manufacturers and carriers are under no obligation to help you.
I'm trying to understand your situation but its so conflicting I don't know where to begin.
For example, you say your device runs a custom AOSP with a Samsung UI. Thats exactly how it actually works. Samsung take the AOSP, customise it with their own functionality, then overlay their own skin as the UI. Theres absolutely nothing unusual about that.
I'm conflicted as to whether your rooted or not. If the manufacturer or carrier has physically seen the device and won't repair it then that would suggest your definitely rooted. If you spoke to them virtually and told them your rooted then they will use it as an excuse whether you're truly rooted or not. The partitions you mention could be the internal storage and an sd card which can be seen non-rooted. I dont know what you mean when you mention a "root system file". Is it an actual folder called "root" or is the app you're using just telling you that you've reached the "root" of the filesystem? I can't quite work out what you mean. You also say Knox-powered apps still work which just adds to the confusion.
You stated you have had 3 new devices and they all self-installed harmful software. To get one device compromised is possible. To get three compromised means your either a high profile government target (which I doubt because they wouldn't be so sloppy as this) or your doing something to compromise your own devices such as continuously visiting dodgy websites.
Flashing will fix things but so would having a new device. The only common denominator is you so either you're doing something wrong or you truly are a government target in which case I wish you good luck!
First let me appologise for the long silence, i cut off most online activity for a while and just read your answers. To clarify, i have not solved my prolem yet. But ill try to explain better what you ask about my situation:
About de os version arobase40 got it right. I Asked google play help reps. And a stock samsung version of android would not trigger googles warning about running a custom version of android. So that point to a modified after-the-fact more than to the fact samsung has their propierary version installed.
About beeing rooted or not, ylwhat you are asking is what im not totaly certajn of, also. I know partition can happen without rooting, its seems to have created a "virtual sd card" since its named as such when sd card slot is actualy empty. About the root files folder, i cant say for sure, all i can say is that its holding a large amount of Gigs that dont get taken into account when looking at storage capacity and usage, and accessing that folder gives me a message that root files cant be access from this device. Does it mean my device had root acess privileges revoked to prevent viewing files that hide what is given control of the software remotely, so i dont find out or have the capacity to remove or alter those files?
What is absolutely sure is that if it is rooted, it wasnt done by me. As for the chance the devices were not factory brand new, 1 of them was not, got it opend box from amazon, a saudi arabia version, but my prkblems had started months before getting it, did not keep it more than 2 months, and all others before and since are 100% pure factory new, some directly from my cellular service provider, as financed device came with 2 year agreement of service,(actualy 2 of them i got this way) and the last one is my tab s7+ i got online directly from samsung canada website, on preorder, delivered on release day.
And lastly the fact i cant seem to shake those persistent leeches, is not from having reckless habbits online, but from having careless and uneducated habbits before that all started, usual older lazy dude stuff, like not changing my wifi password after a ruff breakup with bipolar psycho ex gf, or having only a few passwords reused on most my accounts. I have stopped doing those things long ago now that i know better, but i suspect that i could have been unaware something gettnng installed and staying dormant for a while, maybe? The ex had way more opportunities than needed to do something like this and is more than psycho enough to realy do it also. For having the skills to do it, lets say she has "assets" that can easily get her guys willing to help about that. It may also be coming from somwhere else, but as you say im not a super spy or a high ranking gov. Official. Im not even that interesting, and have absolutely no usable id for fraud or anything, my credit history would raise more red flags then there is in all china. So after so long struggling with this still very active, i cant even think of a rational reason to do so much effort into this, theres nothing to gain, i only can imagine that maybe a twisted mind seeking revege, or with a sick way of amusing themselves could see the point to all that, but i dont realy care. I only want to get rid of it.
As for the way it manages to be so much persistent, i can only see one option left i didnt remove from the process, and its through my phone number/account on the sim card, even a new sim on a new phone, still is linked to my cell service. I did initial setup with only that new sim card, accounts freshely created during setup, with no info or anythink linkable to my previous accounts, and even did it sitting outside, far from any building that could get me in range of a wifi network. And it still was no more effective at staying secure.
Thats why i did not yet try to flash a stock rom myself on my device, because it would, at best, become exactly like it was when brand new, and i know that this is not enough to keep it secure, and that means theres still something im missing in the whole picture.
Hello together,
i´m looking for a way to get some personal data from an old phone.
Short backstory on the phone are pictures from a trip to Canada from 2018, two days after the trip the phone dropped in the sink and shorted the screen maybe something other too. Anyways I disassembled the phone and took the mainboard out and dried it. I searched online for a exact replacement phone at the time there was nothing reasonable available to test the board if its fine. Things happened and i lost track of the project and forgot about it. This year i stumbled across the phone and got momentum to maybe fix it. I found a phone silly cheap online and bought it. Now its working again and boots just fine luckily.
The problem is now it has a lock pattern to access it. My sister can´t remember the pattern used in 2018 at the moment we are at the 120min waiting time to try again. Its a non global stock rom with a locked bootloader?. Google services are side loaded on the phone and no Mi Account was created or bound to the phone. The google account doesn´t list this phone anymore in find my device. ADB is activated but not authorized and MTP is also enabled in the phone our WIFI is also saved and working. Fastboot and the original recovery works just fine and i´m familiar with flashing recoverys and roms.
I am willing to unlock the bootloader and flashing the recovery if there is no data loss (photos & videos) AND i am able to get previous mentioned data from the device.
Maybe someone is willing to help/assist before i am going to burn xxx Euros for a professional data recovery.
Thanks in advance
Rash
UPDATE: We where able to unlock the phone and get the data we needed.
Thanks anyway for reading!
Rash