Develop Bugs

[Q] Problem update unlocked AT&T note 4

Hi,
I've just got an AT&T note 4 and it is sim - unlocked already, but i can not got the OTA update from the server, every time i clicked on the update it is always the latest but i know AT&T rolled out an update in December for Note 4, and i am still stucking in the factory build number. Can anyone help me

Do you have an AT&T sim inside the phone?

NIE is the latest version of the firmware. First check to see what version you're on.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (sm-910a) using Tapatalk

spexwood said:
NIE is the latest version of the firmware. First check to see what version you're on.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (sm-910a) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no nk3 is the latest

johnan2112 said:
Do you have an AT&T sim inside the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No i don't, do we need an AT&T sim to update? Because i don't have one, and i'm out of the USA, so the sim is actually useless i guess

jerrycoffman45 said:
no nk3 is the latest
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops! Yes, you're right.
Why the heck did i even say that?! Ive been on NK3 forever too! I went off memory though when I said that. Didn't look at my firmware version.
SORRY. I just feel so stupid for saying that lmao.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (sm-910a) using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 01:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 AM ----------
lordgon said:
No i don't, do we need an AT&T sim to update? Because i don't have one, and i'm out of the USA, so the sim is actually useless i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you need to be connected to the ATT network (have an ATT sim card) in order to receive updates.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (sm-910a) using Tapatalk

spexwood said:
Oops! Yes, you're right.
Why the heck did i even say that?! Ive been on NK3 forever too! I went off memory though when I said that. Didn't look at my firmware version.
SORRY. I just feel so stupid for saying that lmao.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (sm-910a) using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 01:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 AM ----------
Yes, you need to be connected to the ATT network (have an ATT sim card) in order to receive updates.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (sm-910a) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what if i'm out of US and i want to update my phone? Do i need to book a plane ticket and go all the way back there just to upgrade to lollipop :crying:, i don't know why AT&T do the restrict to their UNLOCKED phone

lordgon said:
So what if i'm out of US and i want to update my phone? Do i need to book a plane ticket and go all the way back there just to upgrade to lollipop :crying:, i don't know why AT&T do the restrict to their UNLOCKED phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I believe a plane trip is basically what you'd have to do. I'm just repeating what has been discussed in the following thread though:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3027462
The topic is completely unrelated to your issue, but the OP is having a similar issue. He is stuck on NIE (which is the firmware that came with the phone, unlike what I said earlier. NK3 came later) and he needs to update, but is using an unlocked n910a and isn't in the USA.
From the thread:
Quote from Norbarb
"You can't do anything unless you have at&t sim card in your phone and you are on at&t network. Otherwise phone will not update, also do to lock bootloader and no root we can't pull update from phone to create current firmware. Your phone is on last avalable official firmware and longest you can't get phone on at&t network or someone find root for this phone you can't update. Sorry for bad news.<br />
<br />
Edit: If you in London have Samsung store you can go there and see if they can update your phone true Smart Tool.<br />
Clicking from notecable N910A<br/>"
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (sm-910a) using Tapatalk

spexwood said:
Honestly, I believe a plane trip is basically what you'd have to do. I'm just repeating what has been discussed in the following thread though:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3027462
The topic is completely unrelated to your issue, but the OP is having a similar issue. He is stuck on NIE (which is the firmware that came with the phone, unlike what I said earlier. NK3 came later) and he needs to update, but is using an unlocked n910a and isn't in the USA.
From the thread:
Quote from Norbarb
"You can't do anything unless you have at&t sim card in your phone and you are on at&t network. Otherwise phone will not update, also do to lock bootloader and no root we can't pull update from phone to create current firmware. Your phone is on last avalable official firmware and longest you can't get phone on at&t network or someone find root for this phone you can't update. Sorry for bad news.<br />
<br />
Edit: If you in London have Samsung store you can go there and see if they can update your phone true Smart Tool.<br />
Clicking from notecable N910A<br/>"
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (sm-910a) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your help , i guess i'm done with this freaking AT&T bastards , will not stick with any phone from AT&T from now. Thank you guys for your patience have a nice day everyone

It is strange...I am using a AT&T Note 4 in pakistan on a local Mobile Network and still i got NK3 update...Now i am bit confused...

lordgon said:
Thank you so much for your help , i guess i'm done with this freaking AT&T bastards , will not stick with any phone from AT&T from now. Thank you guys for your patience have a nice day everyone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you expect the phone to run an AT&T update if you don't have an AT&T SIM installed to connect to the AT&T update servers? Unless I'm totally missing something here.

bruce7373 said:
How do you expect the phone to run an AT&T update if you don't have an AT&T SIM installed to connect to the AT&T update servers? Unless I'm totally missing something here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, at what condition you want to unlock a phone? , most of the time you don't want to use that network anymore or you want to bring it somewhere out of US, so you can use it with another mobile network. Either of the cases, you don't want to use AT&T anymore and now AT&T tell me that i must have AT&T sim and its network in order to update? The worst case is i moved to another country to live and my phone is stucking at stock version forever :crying:. This is common sense that a phone will fully function as an international Note 4 if i unlock it, which mean no restriction with AT&T anymore. So when i want to move out, i can continue to use it. Just like the Iphone, you can buy it from AT&T and when you unlock it will be an off-contract phone, you don't need AT&T network to update it. :fingers-crossed:

And an international version will work on att network.. you bought the phone from att, unfortunatly the industry doesnt work like you want it to (yet?). Your solution is to not buy a carrier branded phone and get the international version.

hey did you get the marshmallow update yet

I have a unlocked att note 4 using straight talk Sim and I still receive Ota updates
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers Legacy app

New OTA - AOJ1

Hey guys and gals, there is a new OTA available. Build number AOJ1. It comes in at almost 119mb.
It is still 5.1.1 and just general performance improvements, etc. I haven't had a chance to run it through its paces yet. I will update as I have a better idea of how it is.

Downloading mine now
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

WizeGuyDezignz said:
Hey guys and gals, there is a new OTA available. Build number AOJ1. It comes in at almost 119mb.
It is still 5.1.1 and just general performance improvements, etc. I haven't had a chance to run it through its paces yet. I will update as I have a better idea of how it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shut up idiot..you only know about it cause I text you and told you. Lol
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Software update includes

WizeGuyDezignz said:
Hey guys and gals, there is a new OTA available. Build number AOJ1. It comes in at almost 119mb.
It is still 5.1.1 and just general performance improvements, etc. I haven't had a chance to run it through its paces yet. I will update as I have a better idea of how it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are your menu screens black? I'm assuming that is a theme?

TeldenW said:
How are your menu screens black? I'm assuming that is a theme?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's a theme. It's called fantasy dark.

Running On Samsung Galaxy Note 5 N920A

Ok... I'll jump. Already ran the Fall update on Winders 10, might as well throw my phone into early-adoption-land as well.

Not finding this update on my phone. On Cricket Wireless network running on unlocked AT&T version. Since Cricket uses AT&T network, it shouldn't matter much. Is this available via Smart Switch yet or strictly OTA?

Might be prep for Marshmallow

Does anyone have an offline copy of this or previous version that I can flash through odin? I am 2 versions behind and software update says I m on the latest.

banstro said:
Does anyone have an offline copy of this or previous version that I can flash through odin? I am 2 versions behind and software update says I[']m on the latest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contact AT&T tech support by online chat and they can push the update to your phone. (I did that for one of the Note 5s I'm helping to maintain.)

Gary02468 said:
Contact AT&T tech support by online chat and they can push the update to your phone. (I did that for one of the Note 5s I'm helping to maintain.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried the online chat. The customer rep refused to push said they have no ability to contact the phone as Cricket Wireless is servicing it. I think its all BS.. the rep didn't know what she was talking. Tried another rep, same answer. I have used TMobile Note Edge on Cricket Wireless and always got the latest OTA updates.

banstro said:
Tried the online chat. The customer rep refused to push said they have no ability to contact the phone as Cricket Wireless is servicing it. I think its all BS.. the rep didn't know what she was talking. Tried another rep, same answer. I have used TMobile Note Edge on Cricket Wireless and always got the latest OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem here is that your using Cricket, even though the phone may be on an AT&T Network, AT&T will not recognize the device as being on their network. AT&T is always fairly strict with who, what, and when they roll out updates. It is also possible it just isn't available in the area you are as well. If all else fails go to a Best Buy and have them flash the device to the most current at the Samsung Kiosk. Though they are usually about a month or so behind on updates typically, at least last I recall anyway. Believe me if AT&T Execs had their way I am more than willing to bet they would lock their phones down so hard no one would be able to take their phones to another carrier. T-Mobile on the other hand is fairly open with what people do with their cellphones hence the reason most of their phones can be rooted etc.

On am on at&t with an AT&T phone and I am on old version? I called at &t and Rep says they cannot push an update? Ended up having me call asurion. Insurance company for the phone and they have no idea? Any help in this matter would be great.

malickie said:
The problem here is that your using Cricket, even though the phone may be on an AT&T Network, AT&T will not recognize the device as being on their network. AT&T is always fairly strict with who, what, and when they roll out updates. It is also possible it just isn't available in the area you are as well. If all else fails go to a Best Buy and have them flash the device to the most current at the Samsung Kiosk. Though they are usually about a month or so behind on updates typically, at least last I recall anyway. Believe me if AT&T Execs had their way I am more than willing to bet they would lock their phones down so hard no one would be able to take their phones to another carrier. T-Mobile on the other hand is fairly open with what people do with their cellphones hence the reason most of their phones can be rooted etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already been to Best Buy. They are 2 versions behind on this as well. So I have the version what Best Buy has...ending with AO16

Mine just received the update. Installed and apps are optimizing now.

Acill said:
Mine just received the update. Installed and apps are optimizing now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the baseband or are we talking about J1 ?
Running On Samsung Galaxy Note 5 N920A

Is the OTA pushed file stored somewhere on the phone? May be it can be flashed thru odin?

Chris V said:
On am on at&t with an AT&T phone and I am on old version? I called at &t and Rep says they cannot push an update? Ended up having me call asurion. Insurance company for the phone and they have no idea? Any help in this matter would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been what five hours. Just wait tell they get you.
---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:41 PM ----------
If someone tells me how i will save the file and upload it when i get home. I have the update postponed currently.

best buy won't update unlocked phones on different carriers

hey xda family long time no see, im just curious to see if anyone knows about this. i went to best buy to update my unlocked att note 4 since im on metro pcs and can't get the update because im on different carrier. when i went to the desk and told the guy what i wanted to do, he said no problem and i handed him my phone. when he plugged it up he had asked if it was an unlocked device and i said yes, he then asked if i had att i said no im on metro. he then said unfortunately because of best buys policy that he can't update my phone because i wasn't on att which didn't make any sense because i did the same thing with my last note 4 that unfortunately got watered damaged. apparently somebody with an unlocked t mobile phone tried to update through best and it hard bricked his phone, which is odd to me because the only way you could HARD brick your phone is unless he had the exynos note 4 or he had tried to install official software on a modified device which is a big no no. he kept telling me that because im on metro pcs i'd have to go to odin and reflash my note 4 back to att which made no sense because it's still an att phone it's just on a different carrier. i do know as long as you install the right firmware for your device in this case an update file thats exclusively for sm-n910a devices. what gives did i run into a clueless rep? im thinking of going to another best buy and just taking out the sim card and play stupid when they bring up the word unlocked. sorry for the long paragraph folks

omnipotent93 said:
hey xda family long time no see, im just curious to see if anyone knows about this. i went to best buy to update my unlocked att note 4 since im on metro pcs and can't get the update because im on different carrier. when i went to the desk and told the guy what i wanted to do, he said no problem and i handed him my phone. when he plugged it up he had asked if it was an unlocked device and i said yes, he then asked if i had att i said no im on metro. he then said unfortunately because of best buys policy that he can't update my phone because i wasn't on att which didn't make any sense because i did the same thing with my last note 4 that unfortunately got watered damaged. apparently somebody with an unlocked t mobile phone tried to update through best and it hard bricked his phone, which is odd to me because the only way you could HARD brick your phone is unless he had the exynos note 4 or he had tried to install official software on a modified device which is a big no no. he kept telling me that because im on metro pcs i'd have to go to odin and reflash my note 4 back to att which made no sense because it's still an att phone it's just on a different carrier. i do know as long as you install the right firmware for your device in this case an update file thats exclusively for sm-n910a devices. what gives did i run into a clueless rep? im thinking of going to another best buy and just taking out the sim card and play stupid when they bring up the word unlocked. sorry for the long paragraph folks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of those reps are clueless.
Your phone is an AT&T version and is running AT&T firmware. Just tell them that it's an AT&T phone. Don't mention that you're using an unlocked device on Metro. I think you may have confused him by telling him that. He may have thought your Note 4 was a Metro version and running Metro firmware. They only have AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile firmware. They may have international too, but not sure. He probably was afraid to flash AT&T firmware onto what he thought was a Metro phone.
Again... clueless. I went there once and the idiots refused to work on my phone (needed to be reflashed and I couldn't get Odin to work) because I was using Nova Launcher. The guy said it wasn't Samsung's home screen and that I had hacked the phone to change it. Well, first, the 910a isn't rootable, and second, a launcher has nothing to do with root.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N930A using Tapatalk

So you have a N910a unlocked on Metro PCS and you wanted to have the software updated to the latest? And you brought it into a Best Buy store to have them update the software? (sorry, your post is hard to read in a big block form like that).
May I ask: have you thought to try the update yourself? Even if you pulled the SIM card and connected via Wifi...

HotShotAzn said:
So you have a N910a unlocked on Metro PCS and you wanted to have the software updated to the latest? And you brought it into a Best Buy store to have them update the software? (sorry, your post is hard to read in a big block form like that).
May I ask: have you thought to try the update yourself? Even if you pulled the SIM card and connected via Wifi...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an AT&T sim card in order to get the update OTA. That, or the Odin files. Are the latest Odin files uploaded? If so, then that'd be the easiest (DIY) solution here. Make sure to back up your files though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N930A using Tapatalk

thank you all for your input, i managed to get the latest firmware through another best buy that was within reasonable driving distance. however, i still think att sucks for not allowing the bootloader to be unlocked and for being slow with marshmallow it's ridiculous. if att had the image files posted somewhere i wouldn't mind doing it myself.

omnipotent93 said:
hey xda family long time no see, im just curious to see if anyone knows about this. i went to best buy to update my unlocked att note 4 since im on metro pcs and can't get the update because im on different carrier. when i went to the desk and told the guy what i wanted to do, he said no problem and i handed him my phone. when he plugged it up he had asked if it was an unlocked device and i said yes, he then asked if i had att i said no im on metro. he then said unfortunately because of best buys policy that he can't update my phone because i wasn't on att which didn't make any sense because i did the same thing with my last note 4 that unfortunately got watered damaged. apparently somebody with an unlocked t mobile phone tried to update through best and it hard bricked his phone, which is odd to me because the only way you could HARD brick your phone is unless he had the exynos note 4 or he had tried to install official software on a modified device which is a big no no. he kept telling me that because im on metro pcs i'd have to go to odin and reflash my note 4 back to att which made no sense because it's still an att phone it's just on a different carrier. i do know as long as you install the right firmware for your device in this case an update file thats exclusively for sm-n910a devices. what gives did i run into a clueless rep? im thinking of going to another best buy and just taking out the sim card and play stupid when they bring up the word unlocked. sorry for the long paragraph folks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not cool. Call Samsung on them. I wasn't even questioned either time. Samsung referred me to the samsung experience at Best Buy in the first place.

Definitive list of differences between carrier locked and unlocked variants

Can someone help in this arena would be good to know the difference. Sammy is giving $600 trade-in on my Note 9 if I go to unlocked or I can get the same with Bestbuy carrier locked to ATT. Why I would like to go Samsung route is that it would give me time to move all my 2FA.
So if anyone has a list of carrier difference and issues pleas let me know

buffalosolja42 said:
Can someone help in this arena would be good to know the difference. Sammy is giving $600 trade-in on my Note 9 if I go to unlocked or I can get the same with Bestbuy carrier locked to ATT. Why I would like to go Samsung route is that it would give me time to move all my 2FA.
So if anyone has a list of carrier difference and issues pleas let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are the same phones and can run the same firmware.
I would go with whatever the best deal you can get.

I thought things like video calling and wifi phone calls don't work. Hmm well that's good news then.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

buffalosolja42 said:
I thought things like video calling and wifi phone calls don't work. Hmm well that's good news then.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who is your carrier?
---------- Post added at 08:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 AM ----------
buffalosolja42 said:
Can someone help in this arena would be good to know the difference. Sammy is giving $600 trade-in on my Note 9 if I go to unlocked or I can get the same with Bestbuy carrier locked to ATT. Why I would like to go Samsung route is that it would give me time to move all my 2FA.
So if anyone has a list of carrier difference and issues pleas let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can actually just go research any of this in the Galaxy S8, Note 8, Galaxy S9, Note 9, or Galaxy S10 forums. They all work the same way.
Same hardware across each of the variants, but the software and the carrier will determine which features work. If you're on ATT and you want WiFi calling and VoLTE, you'll need to buy an ATT device. They check your IMEI and if it isn't on their whitelist, those features won't work, even if you flash the ATT firmware.
All the other carriers you can just flash their carrier firmware.
T-Mobile is the easiest. The only thing that won't work on TMO with unlocked firmware is video calling and RCS texting. WiFi calling and VoLTE work right out of the box.

That is what i figured searched the forums a bit but needed something concise appreciate the info!!
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Who is your carrier?
---------- Post added at 08:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 AM ----------
You can actually just go research any of this in the Galaxy S8, Note 8, Galaxy S9, Note 9, or Galaxy S10 forums. They all work the same way.
Same hardware across each of the variants, but the software and the carrier will determine which features work. If you're on ATT and you want WiFi calling and VoLTE, you'll need to buy an ATT device. They check your IMEI and if it isn't on their whitelist, those features won't work, even if you flash the ATT firmware.
All the other carriers you can just flash their carrier firmware.
T-Mobile is the easiest. The only thing that won't work on TMO with unlocked firmware is video calling and RCS texting. WiFi calling and VoLTE work right out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using ATT prepaid and I bought the S10 plus last year. I flashed it with the ATT firmware and I got wifi calling working. I plan to do the same for my Note 10 plus.

beethoven1854 said:
I am using ATT prepaid and I bought the S10 plus last year. I flashed it with the ATT firmware and I got wifi calling working. I plan to do the same for my Note 10 plus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool! Someone just said that doesn't work on ATT anymore, because they now strictly check your IMEI. I use TMO so I didn't do anymore research, just figured ATT changed their system.

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Cool! Someone just said that doesn't work on ATT anymore, because they now strictly check your IMEI. I use TMO so I didn't do anymore research, just figured ATT changed their system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using it just fine. I will do it on my Note 10 plus and report back my result.

Well there you go, OP. I guess flashing ATT firmware to your unlocked device still works to activate carrier features. Everything else I said is still accurate.

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Cool! Someone just said that doesn't work on ATT anymore, because they now strictly check your IMEI. I use TMO so I didn't do anymore research, just figured ATT changed their system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So right now ATT wifi calling doesn't work with Note 10 Plus but it does work for S10 Plus (and previous models). I am pretty sure this is because the Note 10 is still very new and their system needs some update. I will wait a couple weeks and see what happens.
I called ATT. They told me Note 10 is not on their list yet.

Wow thanks so everything works when flashing the firmware that's great. My wife and I use thr video calling this is great news.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

buffalosolja42 said:
Wow thanks so everything works when flashing the firmware that's great. My wife and I use thr video calling this is great news.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats the first time I heard of anyone actually using it!

ekerbuddyeker said:
thats the first time I heard of anyone actually using it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Work in IT daily and easier for wife as it pops up in call.

I would use it, but I use a Google Voice number as my primary number. We used to do Hangouts video calls all the time, but not so much anymore. I guess the romance is dead.

If you flash carrier firmware to the unlocked phone, don't you basically just end up with a carrier phone? If the answer is yes, then what's the point of buying the unlocked phone?

Corruption Inc said:
If you flash carrier firmware to the unlocked phone, don't you basically just end up with a carrier phone? If the answer is yes, then what's the point of buying the unlocked phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a pre-order deal from Samsung that is between 6-700 can't remember at the moment.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I always use unlocked devices whether it be Samsung unlocked or Google pixels unlocked but all work like a charm on verizon and get basically free unchecked hotspot

beethoven1854 said:
So right now ATT wifi calling doesn't work with Note 10 Plus but it does work for S10 Plus (and previous models). I am pretty sure this is because the Note 10 is still very new and their system needs some update. I will wait a couple weeks and see what happens.
I called ATT. They told me Note 10 is not on their list yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
buffalosolja42 said:
Wow thanks so everything works when flashing the firmware that's great. My wife and I use thr video calling this is great news.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So interestingly, there's another thread and people who are flashing ATT firmware to the unlocked version can no longer get WFC to work. They said it works for a few minutes if they give ATT an old IMEI number, but the system will automatically update to the new IMEI and WFC will no longer work. Read page four of the thread to see what I'm talking about.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-10+/how-to/unlocked-samsung-att-tmo-t3956698
Corruption Inc said:
If you flash carrier firmware to the unlocked phone, don't you basically just end up with a carrier phone? If the answer is yes, then what's the point of buying the unlocked phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a few reasons:
1. This year the Note 9 is worth $600 towards an unlocked model, but only $300 towards carrier models.
2. The U1 models generally maintain their value a little better than the carrier branded models. Even though it's the same exact device, that little "1" makes a difference for some reason.
3. It's factory unlocked. T-Mo, Sprint, ATT, and now Verizon all come carrier locked. Verizon stays locked for 60 days then automatically unlocks. T-Mo you have to pay it off, or pay cash up front, then wait 40 days with it active on your account before it can be unlocked. ATT again has to be paid off or paid in full up front and then you have to request an unkock and wait for the code. I believe Sprint automatically unlocks it once it's paid off.
4. I've heard conflicting stories, but at least in the past, Sprint was weird about their BYOD program. You could only bring devices with whitelisted IMEIs. That was Sprint devices and factory unlocked devices. If you just got your ATT Galaxy S8+ unlocked and brought it to Sprint, it wouldn't activate, even though it was the same exact device hardwarewise. The IMEI wasn't in their database. So the Unlocked version is more flexible.
5. That ugly ATT box. For some reason ATT will often take the phone out of the nice Samsung box and throw it in a cheap ATT box. See the USA Pre-order thread on here. There's already people complaining about that box. And I'm a packaging guy.
So you might as well get the device that's cheaper up front and holds it's value the best and is the most flexible carrier wise. If you want carrier features and firmware, you can still have them, and no worries ever about a SIM lock. Well except with ATT apparently. If you need ATT WiFi calling and VoLTE, you may be stuck getting the ATT model, from what I'm reading.
Now that said, if you don't have a trade in device, and your carrier is offering a better deal on their model...then by all means get that one.

Resurrecting and old thread rather than starting a new one.
I'm on T-Mobile and looking at either an unlocked Note 10+ which is $200 off right now from Samsung and Amazon or the Note 10+ 5G from T-Mobile. I know this is a bit of an apples to oranges thing, but what I'm wondering about is data roaming. I've heard, but have not been able to confirm is that an unlocked model will not data roam on partner networks, while a T-Mobile version will data roam. I do know that my current phone, an unlocked Essential PH-1 does not data roam, but is this true for all factory unlocked vs. carrier phones? Or at least T-Mobile phones?

akrein62 said:
Resurrecting and old thread rather than starting a new one.
I'm on T-Mobile and looking at either an unlocked Note 10+ which is $200 off right now from Samsung and Amazon or the Note 10+ 5G from T-Mobile. I know this is a bit of an apples to oranges thing, but what I'm wondering about is data roaming. I've heard, but have not been able to confirm is that an unlocked model will not data roam on partner networks, while a T-Mobile version will data roam. I do know that my current phone, an unlocked Essential PH-1 does not data roam, but is this true for all factory unlocked vs. carrier phones? Or at least T-Mobile phones?
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T-Mobile customer here. I had an unlocked S7 Edge that would roam just fine on partner networks, in the US and internationally. Haven't had the opportunity to test roaming yet with my brand new unlocked Note 10+ but I suspect my results would be the same as with my S7 Edge.

Horrible ATT reception with unlocked Note 10+

So I switched from a ATT S9+ to the (Unlocked) Note 10+ and have had the most horrible reception on ATT. I was wondering if it's happening to anyone else? I spoke with the ATT advanced tech team and she told me that because it's not the ATT Note 10+ that it's not configured for their network. Is this true? She then help me set up a new APN which was the same as before she just added hipri to the apn type. Is anyone else having this same issue or know what's going on? I need to know before I convince myself to return this one for a ATT Note 10+.

1. did you try to check and see if there's a software update?
2. try to turn off phone and turn back on
i using unlocked note10+ on verizon prepaid no problem.
i also have a freedomp simcard, it uses the att network, it showing the same 3 bar signals like my toy iphone8 at my house

I also use unlocked dual SIM 975F on ATT. It works but I feel like the speed is slow but ironically, when I compared to a '5G' iPhone on ATT I got faster speeds - go figure. I'm trying to get them to enable voLTE . I believe we miss band 30!which is used in cities. The trade off is worth it though, for me to have dual SIM.

skeet09 said:
So I switched from a ATT S9+ to the (Unlocked) Note 10+ and have had the most horrible reception on ATT. I was wondering if it's happening to anyone else? I spoke with the ATT advanced tech team and she told me that because it's not the ATT Note 10+ that it's not configured for their network. Is this true? She then help me set up a new APN which was the same as before she just added hipri to the apn type. Is anyone else having this same issue or know what's going on? I need to know before I convince myself to return this one for a ATT Note 10+.
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I'm having the same issues as we speak I currently have no bars. What will work and I did this with my Galaxy s10 plus , we need to flash the att software since it's unlocked. Not sure how to do it with this one. Let me see if I can find it and post it

netnerd said:
1. did you try to check and see if there's a software update?
2. try to turn off phone and turn back on
i using unlocked note10+ on verizon prepaid no problem.
i also have a freedomp simcard, it uses the att network, it showing the same 3 bar signals like my toy iphone8 at my house
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Click to collapse
Yea I have the latest software. I have the N75U1. The whole reason why I got unlocked is because of bloatware and also so I'll be able to unlock and root the phone once that feature becomes available. So hopefully I made the right decision.

skylinegtr116 said:
I'm having the same issues as we speak I currently have no bars. What will work and I did this with my Galaxy s10 plus , we need to flash the att software since it's unlocked. Not sure how to do it with this one. Let me see if I can find it and post it
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That would be awesome because right now I'm regretting my decision on this unlocked phone so bad lol

skeet09 said:
That would be awesome because right now I'm regretting my decision on this unlocked phone so bad lol
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i have the unlocked version. I flashed AT&T firmware. Signal is the same. Makes no difference unlocked or carrier branded, the hardware is the same.

racinwarrior said:
i have the unlocked version. I flashed AT&T firmware. Signal is the same. Makes no difference unlocked or carrier branded, the hardware is the same.
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So based off of that should I return this phone and swap it out with the att version? I thought the unlocked had the same hardware and a little more? Sorry I didnt do my research on bands and all that good stuff.

skeet09 said:
Yea I have the latest software. I have the N75U1. The whole reason why I got unlocked is because of bloatware and also so I'll be able to unlock and root the phone once that feature becomes available. So hopefully I made the right decision.
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If you bought the N975U1, then it's already carrier unlocked.
If you mean unlock the bootloader, that will never happen. And there's about a 99.9% chance it will never be rooted.

Mr. Orange 645 said:
If you bought the N975U1, then it's already carrier unlocked.
If you mean unlock the bootloader, that will never happen. And there's about a 99.9% chance it will never be rooted.
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Yea I have the N975U1. Im guessing it has all the same hardware as the att note 10 plus or is there something different? Well... that's good to know lol I guess I bought it so it has no bloatware then lol thanks for the heads up.

skeet09 said:
Yea I have the N975U1. Im guessing it has all the same hardware as the att note 10 plus or is there something different? Well... that's good to know lol I guess I bought it so it has no bloatware then lol thanks for the heads up.
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Yup. Same exact hardware.
The N975U, the N975U1, and the N975W (Canadian) are all exactly the same hardware and you can cross flash hardware between them.

skeet09 said:
That would be awesome because right now I'm regretting my decision on this unlocked phone so bad lol
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I think it varies carrier and location. I just flashed the tmobile firmware which is the same for at&t and I got VOLTE ,WIFI CALLING AND ADVANCED MESSAGING back. Where I had no service I have 2 bars now.
So I'm happy now. Try it for yourself before returning

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Yup. Same exact hardware.
The N975U, the N975U1, and the N975W (Canadian) are all exactly the same hardware and you can cross flash hardware between them.
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Thank you for that info that's all I needed to know because what the att advanced tech team said was that the att note 10 was specifically for their network including hardware so I was thinking it had something this unlocked version didnt.

skeet09 said:
Thank you for that info that's all I needed to know because what the att advanced tech team said was that the att note 10 was specifically for their network including hardware so I was thinking it had something this unlocked version didnt.
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LOL. Nope same exact device, just different firmware.

I bought the unlocked too. I really needed wifi calling since my ATT service is poor at my house. Once I flashed the ATT firmware (including ATT User Data file) I got wifi calling, VoLTE, HD Voice, Visual Voice all back. My calls are 100% better. Before flashing I sounded muffled to the people who I called & calls were dropping. Now they are crystal clear & no drops. I mainly got the unlocked for the Trade in value on my Note 9. Totally worth it.

burrzoo said:
I bought the unlocked too. I really needed wifi calling since my ATT service is poor at my house. Once I flashed the ATT firmware (including ATT User Data file) I got wifi calling, VoLTE, HD Voice, Visual Voice all back. My calls are 100% better. Before flashing I sounded muffled to the people who I called & calls were dropping. Now they are crystal clear & no drops. I mainly got the unlocked for the Trade in value on my Note 9. Totally worth it.
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Any chance you can direct us to the post(s) that you followed to do this correctly? I've been collecting files to attempt this for AT&T, but haven't found a decent guide.

discothan said:
Any chance you can direct us to the post(s) that you followed to do this correctly? I've been collecting files to attempt this for AT&T, but haven't found a decent guide.
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Disclaimer: You do this at your own risk! Read & re-read the details! I am not responsible if you brick your phone
Now, all that being said, it was actually an easy process but I searched and read and read and re-read before trying anything.
I got the firmware & most importantly for AT&T, the UserData file from this thread (Read the entire Post (maybe 2 or 3 times), it's very informative:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-10+/how-to/n975u-n975u1-firmware-links-t3957648
I followed the instructions from this S10 thread See POST #5 & substituted the N975U file Wording when they listed the file names for the S10 firmware:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s10/help/samsung-s10-unlocked-phone-att-firmware-t3912973
NOTE I used a patched version of ODIN from this thread (and not the version linked to in the S10 discussion thread above):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/patched-odin-3-13-1-t3762572
Lastly, I am using my old Note 9 AT&T SIM Card. From what I've read, at any given time, AT$T can update their system and your IMEI might not correspond to their ATT specific list and apparently you can lose functionality. I've been fine for a week and others have been flashing unlocked phones with ATT firmware for years so I'll take my chances.
Good Luck!

discothan said:
Any chance you can direct us to the post(s) that you followed to do this correctly? I've been collecting files to attempt this for AT&T, but haven't found a decent guide.
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Use the patched version of Odin.
Turn the phone off and press and hold the power,up and down volume buttons at the same time.
Let go once the download screen appears.
Go ahead and put all the files in the correct spot..AB to AN ,BL to BL and so on.
Once complete just start the flash and that's it. Leave the att sim in the phone through the whole process.
Done...

discothan said:
Any chance you can direct us to the post(s) that you followed to do this correctly? I've been collecting files to attempt this for AT&T, but haven't found a decent guide.
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Click to collapse
Have you tried flashing it yet?

skeet09 said:
Have you tried flashing it yet?
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I have.
I'm not sure if the ATT file took.
I know I lost my apps/customizations...which I was expecting since I used the home-csc file.
Also my GMAIL app is not right, its missing the ability to set the frequency of SYNCs, which I had with the stock Gapps.