[Q] T-Mo Warranty/Knox questions: - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S 4

I am thinking about switching to T-Mobile, and am very interested in the Galaxy S4, due to it being the only major flagship in the form factor I am looking for with a removable battery and SD slot. Unfortunately, everything about Touchwiz makes me want to vomit, so running stock is not even remotely an option for me. My questions are as follows:
1) Is there any way to get T-Mo to give me a phone that has not yet received the 4.3 update, so as to avoid Knox altogether?
2) If this is not possible, how stringent is T-Mo about checking and enforcing the Knox counter for obviously unrelated hardware warranty issues?
3a) Worst case scenario, what is the insurance deductible for this phone?
3b) If a warranty claim is denied, would I still be able to make an insurance claim?
3c) How long will it likely take to have a new phone in my hand were I to make an insurance claim?
EDIT: Forgot to add one bit:
4) The VZW GS3 that I currently have is running CM11, and the flash counter has been tripped. Should I TriangleAway/relock/flash stock/unroot before giving it to T-Mo for a trade-in, or is it fine as is?

Well I'm new to the s4 but for your first question, I ordered my s4 online on Tuesday, got it today and it came with 4.2.2
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

thisnamestoolong said:
I am thinking about switching to T-Mobile, and am very interested in the Galaxy S4, due to it being the only major flagship in the form factor I am looking for with a removable battery and SD slot. Unfortunately, everything about Touchwiz makes me want to vomit, so running stock is not even remotely an option for me. My questions are as follows:
1) Is there any way to get T-Mo to give me a phone that has not yet received the 4.3 update, so as to avoid Knox altogether?
2) If this is not possible, how stringent is T-Mo about checking and enforcing the Knox counter for obviously unrelated hardware warranty issues?
3a) Worst case scenario, what is the insurance deductible for this phone?
3b) If a warranty claim is denied, would I still be able to make an insurance claim?
3c) How long will it likely take to have a new phone in my hand were I to make an insurance claim?
EDIT: Forgot to add one bit:
4) The VZW GS3 that I currently have is running CM11, and the flash counter has been tripped. Should I TriangleAway/relock/flash stock/unroot before giving it to T-Mo for a trade-in, or is it fine as is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.- there's no for sure way to approach this it's a gamble, but I would guess that since u will be getting a brand new phone it will most likely come with the 4.2.2 but like I said it's a gamble, since T-mo reps cant open every box to find u a not updated phone
2.- I have exchanged phones with the flash counter triggered, ( NOT THE KNOX COUNTER THE OLDER VERSION) a t-mo rep never checked for that. They are more concerned about water damage than anything else.
3a- My deductible is $150 I would think it's the same all over.
3b.- yes u can always do a a insurance claim, I've done it.
3c it everything goes smoothly u will get a phone with in 24hrs... worse cases 48hrs.
4.- I would flash stock if I was you, no carrier likes it when people messes with their own devices LOL, but seriously flash stock and if u want do the triangle away while u at it.
I hope you enjoy your stay with t-mo, as much as at least I am!!!

thisnamestoolong said:
I am thinking about switching to T-Mobile, and am very interested in the Galaxy S4, due to it being the only major flagship in the form factor I am looking for with a removable battery and SD slot. Unfortunately, everything about Touchwiz makes me want to vomit, so running stock is not even remotely an option for me. My questions are as follows:
1) Is there any way to get T-Mo to give me a phone that has not yet received the 4.3 update, so as to avoid Knox altogether?
2) If this is not possible, how stringent is T-Mo about checking and enforcing the Knox counter for obviously unrelated hardware warranty issues?
3a) Worst case scenario, what is the insurance deductible for this phone?
3b) If a warranty claim is denied, would I still be able to make an insurance claim?
3c) How long will it likely take to have a new phone in my hand were I to make an insurance claim?
EDIT: Forgot to add one bit:
4) The VZW GS3 that I currently have is running CM11, and the flash counter has been tripped. Should I TriangleAway/relock/flash stock/unroot before giving it to T-Mo for a trade-in, or is it fine as is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my S4 brand new at full price..it's been a lil over a week now, It came with 4.2.2 out of the box.
I have yet to root or do anything to it, though I'd like to be running 4.3 and have apps to sd ability. and still maintain the 4.2.2 bootloader

Related

Be careful with replacement from T-Mobile

Let me start by saying my phone is rooted but my wife's is not. She never lets me root any of her phones.
Well we are going on a cruise in two weeks and two nights ago we check wifi-calling. My phone worked fine but hers would not setup no matter what we tried. We ended up calling T-Mobile and they also could not get her wifi-calling working so they sent out a replacement that was just received today.
Well the replacement had the Knox counter tripped at 0x1, (she uses Knox at her work) every time you boot the phone lines of code telling you the phone was either booting up or booting down, radio enabled or disable bla bla bla...would run across the top of the screen. It had half the bloatware apps missing. It was like someone rooted it uninstalled a bunch of bloatware and then just shipped it back to T-Mobile. It did at least have the stock recovery.
Plus the phone had two dead pixels right in the middle of the screen...What a joke!!!
bp328i said:
Let me start by saying my phone is rooted but my wife's is not. She never lets me root any of her phones.
Well we are going on a cruise in two weeks and two nights ago we check wifi-calling. My phone worked fine but hers would not setup no matter what we tried. We ended up calling T-Mobile and they also could not get her wifi-calling working so they sent out a replacement that was just received today.
Well the replacement had the Knox counter tripped at 0x1, (she uses Knox at her work) every time you boot the phone lines of code telling you the phone was either booting up or booting down, radio enabled or disable bla bla bla...would run across the top of the screen. It had half the bloatware apps missing. It was like someone rooted it uninstalled a bunch of bloatware and then just shipped it back to T-Mobile. It did at least have the stock recovery.
Plus the phone had two dead pixels right in the middle of the screen...What a joke!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odds are someone did root it and found the multi touch error or more likely the dead pixs and called in the warranty. When they come into Tmob they just see if it works, clean them up, and ship them back out unless they got the samsung tool to reset knox and stock.
I get this is a big deal because knox is used and if need be just send it back saying knox is broken.
RiffyDivine said:
Odds are someone did root it and found the multi touch error or more likely the dead pixs and called in the warranty. When they come into Tmob they just see if it works, clean them up, and ship them back out unless they got the samsung tool to reset knox and stock.
I get this is a big deal because knox is used and if need be just send it back saying knox is broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was on the phone with them already and they are shipping me another one that should be here Monday.
The one I received even had the app Dev Tools loaded on it when I booted it up...lol
bp328i said:
The one I received even had the app Dev Tools loaded on it when I booted it up...lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats hilarious lol
I hope I don't receive a Knox tripped phone. Since this is the first reported case of anyone receiving a Knox tripped phone, maybe they are shipping refurbished bricked phones from here on out.. I will report back once I receive mine.
bp328i said:
I was on the phone with them already and they are shipping me another one that should be here Monday.
The one I received even had the app Dev Tools loaded on it when I booted it up...lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the next one comes Konx tripped I will be walking into a store and requesting a brand new one. I'll bring my wife's and show them the difference.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
bp328i said:
If the next one comes Konx tripped I will be walking into a store and requesting a brand new one. I'll bring my wife's and show them the difference.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just curious, this is my first replacement. Where do they normally ship your replacement device from?
lm that guy said:
just curious, this is my first replacement. Where do they normally ship your replacement device from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Samsung won't honor the warranty if Knox is tripped, then a TMO refurbished phone, sure as hell better not have it tripped already. If it does, get another refurb. No way they can refuse you on that. They put that stuff in the phone, not you, so it better work on their end, especially if you're buying it to purposely use Knox. Phone doesn't work as advertised? Return it and get another one.
lm that guy said:
just curious, this is my first replacement. Where do they normally ship your replacement device from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The box they shipped it in you use to return yours to them. The UPS label peals off and under it is the return shipping label.
I already pealed the first one off but the return is going to Mesquite Texas.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
good luck man, what colors do you have? i have the black one
I will be getting the black one.
bp328i said:
Let me start by saying my phone is rooted but my wife's is not. She never lets me root any of her phones.
Well we are going on a cruise in two weeks and two nights ago we check wifi-calling. My phone worked fine but hers would not setup no matter what we tried. We ended up calling T-Mobile and they also could not get her wifi-calling working so they sent out a replacement that was just received today.
Well the replacement had the Knox counter tripped at 0x1, (she uses Knox at her work) every time you boot the phone lines of code telling you the phone was either booting up or booting down, radio enabled or disable bla bla bla...would run across the top of the screen. It had half the bloatware apps missing. It was like someone rooted it uninstalled a bunch of bloatware and then just shipped it back to T-Mobile. It did at least have the stock recovery.
Plus the phone had two dead pixels right in the middle of the screen...What a joke!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just got my phone and it had Knox tripped. I think it only matters if it goes to Samsung not t mobile they use a outside company.
NOTE 3
I can't believe they're actually sending out replacements with Knox tripped.. According to Tmobile, their techs also check for the Knox counter upon receiving a defective phone sent in under warranty. If it's tripped, they charge an out of warranty fee to your bill. This is very unfortunate for people who need to send a replacement in for a new replacement having never rooted, but still have a tripped counter at no fault of their own.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
bp328i said:
The box they shipped it in you use to return yours to them. The UPS label peals off and under it is the return shipping label.
I already pealed the first one off but the return is going to Mesquite Texas.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was born in mesquite Texas. Go stallions
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium HD app
Towle said:
I can't believe they're actually sending out replacements with Knox tripped.. According to Tmobile, their techs also check for the Knox counter upon receiving a defective phone sent in under warranty. If it's tripped, they charge an out of warranty fee to your bill. This is very unfortunate for people who need to send a replacement in for a new replacement having never rooted, but still have a tripped counter at no fault of their own.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't check. Maybe a tech that wants to be tech say but t mobile is sending them out like this.
NOTE 3
BACARDILIMON said:
They don't check. Maybe a tech that wants to be tech say but t mobile is sending them out like this.
NOTE 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if they actually do check, but they say a tripped Knox flag will void your warranty and result in an out of warranty fee. I'm sure some will and some won't.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Towle said:
I'm not sure if they actually do check, but they say a tripped Knox flag will void your warranty and result in an out of warranty fee. I'm sure some will and some won't.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct but they are shipping them all messed up. They might fix the issue and re flash stock but never fix the Knox issue cause they so short on stock of replacement phones.
NOTE 3
BACARDILIMON said:
Correct but they are shipping them all messed up. They might fix the issue and re flash stock but never fix the Knox issue cause they so short on stock of replacement phones.
NOTE 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what is concerning. If they are using the Knox flag to void warranties, they should not be sent out tripped.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Towle said:
That's what is concerning. If they are using the Knox flag to void warranties, they should not be sent out tripped.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gonna call them tomorrow and tell them what happened and record the conversation to cover my a**.
NOTE 3
BACARDILIMON said:
I gonna call them tomorrow and tell them what happened and record the conversation to cover my a**.
NOTE 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get my second replacement today. If if has Knox tripped I'm going straight to a T-Mobile store and showing them that Knox won't setup and since this is the second one I received like this I'm not accepting another refurbish.
bp328i said:
I get my second replacement today. If if has Knox tripped I'm going straight to a T-Mobile store and showing them that Knox won't setup and since this is the second one I received like this I'm not accepting another refurbish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just got off the phone guy said not to worry about the Knox setting cause they only look for water damage and physical damage. Asked to speak to supervisor and he said same thing. Added a note to my account stating I got the phone this way. He said I would have no issue.
NOTE 3

[Q] Bought S4 that was rooted

I bought a t-mobile S4 and discovered it came rooted already. Is this normal? It was from an authorized t-mobile reseller. I don't mind the fact that it's rooted, but what precautions can I take that some malware/spyware isn't installed? Is running a scan with malwarebytes good enough? The reseller said it was rooted to remove some bloatware, but how can I make sure nothing bad was installed? Since the phone is rooted, that also means I can't receive OTA updates, is that right?
Thanks for any info.
It's not normal if you got it from a T-mobile store. An independent but authorized site is different. Maybe someone rooted it but returned it or traded in. If you're really concern just Odin flashed the stock firmware.
☞ Sent from here☜???
baseballfanz said:
It's not normal if you got it from a T-mobile store. An independent but authorized site is different. Maybe someone rooted it but returned it or traded in. If you're really concern just Odin flashed the stock firmware.
☞ Sent from here☜???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin back to stock would deffinately work.
But you don't really have to do that. You could just put on a custom recovery, and flash any rom.
Any spyware that a previous user put on the device you have to reside in th esystem partition. Flashing any other rom would wipe out the system partition and installing a fresh one over top.
re: Unrooting
pcglue said:
I bought a t-mobile S4 and discovered it came rooted already. Is this normal? It was from an authorized t-mobile reseller. I don't mind the fact that it's rooted, but what precautions can I take that some malware/spyware isn't installed? Is running a scan with malwarebytes good enough? The reseller said it was rooted to remove some bloatware, but how can I make sure nothing bad was installed? Since the phone is rooted, that also means I can't receive OTA updates, is that right?
Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes a rooted phone will not be able to update using OTA or KIES.
There is another easier way to Unroot the phone, just click on superSU
then click on the settings tab and scroll down til you see "Full Unroot"
"cleanup for permanent unroot" (you still will be able to re-root the phone).
That way there is no reason to flash any roms unless you don't like
what you already have, also even without root you still can use
a custom recovery if that's what you want to do.
After unrooting you will no longer be able to use any apps or
anything else which requires root access.
Good luck!
Skipjacks said:
Odin back to stock would deffinately work.
But you don't really have to do that. You could just put on a custom recovery, and flash any rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would I be able to use tmobile's wifi calling if I use a rom other than stock?
Thanks everybody for the help and useful info!
pcglue said:
Would I be able to use tmobile's wifi calling if I use a rom other than stock?
Thanks everybody for the help and useful info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as it's a TouchWiz rom based on the T Mobile Stock ROM.
Skipjacks said:
As long as it's a TouchWiz rom based on the T Mobile Stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I just found out some other disturbing info. The IMEI on my S4 is 0. It's obviously different from the sticker on the back. And on 2 other S4's I bought at the same time, the IMEI's look valid, but are different from the stickers on the back as well.
I bought these from an independent tmobile store. Why would the phones I bought be rooted and have non-matching IMEI's? Do I have stolen/black market/refurbished phones? I thought I got a discount because of the quantity I bought (5 total, it was for 2 families), but now I think there's something shady about these phones. I don't have ready access to the last 2 phones I bought in this batch, but I suspect they are rooted with non-matching IMEI's as well.
What are the implications of this? I would think these phones are not under Samsung or Tmobile warranty, even though the guy at the store says they are. And in the future, would Tmobile help me (unlocking or I don't know what else) if I am using these phones? They should still help with account/plan changes, but I imagine there are probably some things they won't help with. I'm thinking of returning these phones to avoid future hassles now. Or am I being too paranoid?
pcglue said:
I bought these from an independent tmobile store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is where your worries should stop.
You bought these from a store. You have a receipt. Take them back to the store and tell them to fix it.
If they won't, take the matter up with T Mobile and tell them that one of their authorized retailers (if it says T Mobile it's an authorized retailer, even if i'ts an independantly owned shop) is selling stolen phones. I promise you that T Mobile will take this very seriously, though you may have to get past the front line customer service rep to find someone who cares.
If it's not a T MObile authorized retailer and it's just a random genric cell phone shop, then T Mobile isn't going to care. But the cops will.
I'd also file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency.
It's one thing is a back ally deal from a guy in a trench coat who started the transaction with "Pssst....hey, buddy...wanna buy a cheap cell phone?" goes south. It's another thing entirely when it's a legitimate store that's ripping you off and cahrging to sale taxes and stuff on tope of your purchase.
And if they didn't know what they were doing when they sold you stolen / broken / semi-refurbished goods, well quite frankly that's their problem. It's not your problem. They told you they were selling you new phones. If they sold you not new phones, they have defrauded you. It doesn't matter if they knew or not.
The IMEI's on the stickers on the phones should match the receipt. That will be proof that you're not pulling a switcheroo on the store.
If they don't match the receipt and you left the store with them anyway, there is a certain amount of Caveat Emptor that applies. (Latin for "Let the Buyer Beware"). You might be out of luck.

[Q] Locked bootloader on T-mobile?

I've been thinking about dumping AT&T since they started limiting their unlimited plans. But I just got a Note-III and discovered the locked bootloader problem (from AT&T not Samsung) and that is the last straw.
I know T-Mobile is offering to buy out my contract but being able to root/flash my devices is the whole reason for running an Android and figured this was the best place to ask...
Are there any issues with unlocking/flashing/rooting T-Mobile Note-3s without tripping knox? I really REALLY want to tell the deathstar folks where they can shove their limited-unlimited plan and locked bootloaders!
re: bootloaders
Edbert said:
I've been thinking about dumping AT&T since they started limiting their unlimited plans. But I just got a Note-III and discovered the locked bootloader problem (from AT&T not Samsung) and that is the last straw.
I know T-Mobile is offering to buy out my contract but being able to root/flash my devices is the whole reason for running an Android and figured this was the best place to ask...
Are there any issues with unlocking/flashing/rooting T-Mobile Note-3s without tripping knox? I really REALLY want to tell the deathstar folks where they can shove their limited-unlimited plan and locked bootloaders!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bootloader is not locked on Note 3 Tmobile, however the knox is an issue.
You will trip knox with both Tmobile and AT&T if you flash custom roms and
or flash custom recoveries (cwm/twrp).
If you don't care about possibly voiding your warranty then knox is not an issue.
Good luck!
Misterjunky said:
If you don't care about possibly voiding your warranty then knox is not an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the (amazingly) swift response.
So none of the current methods of avoiding knox (de la vega?) work with T-Mobile on the Note3?
re: de la vega
Edbert said:
Thanks for the (amazingly) swift response.
So none of the current methods of avoiding knox (de la vega?) work with T-Mobile on the Note3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
De la vega works with 4.3 Tmobile Note 3 but it only allows you to ROOT the stock original firmware without
tripping KNOX, it does not help at all with flashing custom roms or custom recoveries like twrp or cwm.
Good luck!
Here's something though most tmobile employees aren't going to check if the knox counter has changed so I wouldn't worry about it in the 1st place.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
XxLostSoulxX said:
Here's something though most tmobile employees aren't going to check if the knox counter has changed so I wouldn't worry about it in the 1st place.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I don't think it matters much.
The Warranty issue is if you have to send it to Samsung for warranty. If you have the Assuron warranty (the one you pay for monthly through Tmo) then voiding warranty doesn't matter as Assuron doesn't care if you have a tripped knox counter. Also some have posted on the VZW S4 forums about sending in an S4 to sammy with tripped knox and still having the repairs done. So as the guy above this post states, it really doesn't matter.
Eric214 said:
The Warranty issue is if you have to send it to Samsung for warranty. If you have the Assuron warranty (the one you pay for monthly through Tmo) then voiding warranty doesn't matter as Assuron doesn't care if you have a tripped knox counter. Also some have posted on the VZW S4 forums about sending in an S4 to sammy with tripped knox and still having the repairs done. So as the guy above this post states, it really doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's ppl under general that talk about sending their note 3 into Sammy with tripped Knox and getting it back with 0x0 no extra cost. So i am sure no one really cares.
so can we assume that if you trip Knox, and down the road you want to use your Jump and change phones, that wont matter either?
moving from Sprint to t-mo this week, so I dont know how they are
thanks!
wase4711 said:
so can we assume that if you trip Knox, and down the road you want to use your Jump and change phones, that wont matter either?
moving from Sprint to t-mo this week, so I dont know how they are
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope it doesn't matter
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
wase4711 said:
so can we assume that if you trip Knox, and down the road you want to use your Jump and change phones, that wont matter either?
moving from Sprint to t-mo this week, so I dont know how they are
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I wouldn't think it matters either. Tmo wouldn't sell a phone with an unlocked bootloader if they cared if you rooted and installed custom ROMS.
And the best part of unlocked bootloader is easily ditching TW so you can enjoy your phone fully. Plenty of great ROM options out there now, no TouchWiz or Knox BS.

T-mobile galaxy s3 running 4.3 warranty bit - 1

Hi all. I have a T-mobile Galaxy s3 running 4.3 and my warranty bit is showing 1. Am I correct in understanding that there is no way to reset the warranty bit to zero? If that is the case, what happens if I send my s3 back to the warranty dept. with the warranty bit showing 1? Am I then charged the full price of the replacement phone sent to me even if custom binary is at zero? Thanks in advance!!
There is no way for an end user to reset the Knox counter back to zero.
If you send it in, the company any simply refuse to fix the phone under warranty. The company should call you with an estimate before attempting to repair the phone.

Few root questions

Hi, new to the forums here and I just had a few questions about rooting my note 7.
So I wasn't able to get a clear answer on this, but will rooting without tripping knox void warranty? Will this affect the note recall? (I'm exchanging it on Monday when there will hopefully be replacements at my local store)
Also, I was concerned about root messing with t-mobile's wifi calling, i rely on it because there's no service in my apartment, so i was wondering if anyone who rooted can use wifi calling with no problem?
Thanks!
From what I know. As of this post, rooting a note 7 using the Spring/T-Mobile modded firmware does not trip knox, and does not void warranty(as long as you don't tell Sammy you "rooted" it, haha.
If you plan on exchanging it, I don't think there is an issue. It's a worldwide recall so regardles of what you do to the phone, i believe it's still acceptable to exchange(since they send you the replacement phone first before you ship them the concerned one)
The T-Mobile WiFi calling I don't know about
Cycloneon said:
From what I know. As of this post, rooting a note 7 using the Spring/T-Mobile modded firmware does not trip knox, and does not void warranty(as long as you don't tell Sammy you "rooted" it, haha.
If you plan on exchanging it, I don't think there is an issue. It's a worldwide recall so regardles of what you do to the phone, i believe it's still acceptable to exchange(since they send you the replacement phone first before you ship them the concerned one)
The T-Mobile WiFi calling I don't know about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, I feel more comfortable rooting it now. I actually found the answer to the WIFI calling, this root guide says it should work http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmo...t/root-wifi-calling-volte-basic-mods-t3455088

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