Can anyone help me with unrooting a Galaxy Note 4?

[Raduque]

You can also try visiting the Samsung kiosk inside a Best Buy (if you have one close) - they should be able to restore your phone to it's stock FW as well. I had to do that to my lemony S6 when I screwed up the filesystem and couldn't get Odin to flash it.

 

[TubeTote]

IDK...Best Buy does not sell / support T-Mobile, I found that out recently actually. Here is the dramatic version (lol)...

I do not subscribe to an internet carrier nor cable company. I used to spend roughly 300 to 400 per month for that nonsense, and finally realized that I don't use it nearly enough to merit that kind of money (not to mention it put me in a huge amount of debt). T-Mobile actually saved me a small fortune as I was able to use their very fast internet (via mobile hotspot with 4G) and unlimited (so they say) phone data...as in watching Netflix and the like using a MHL. Now their new phones don't support MHL...geez I wonder why (perhaps too good). What is worse, the incredibly stupid and uninformed employees, not just at the T-Mobile store but even with their 'tech support', don't have a f***ing clue when I try to explain what my issues are. I was going to upgrade the Note 4 in question to an S7 until I realized that it totally sucks for my purposes (the slimy sales person the entire time telling me that I could use it with MHL by getting a cable at Best Buy...what a lying sack of shit, Samsuck no longer supports MHL). I went there to be certain and of course he was wrong, just like the bitch who sold me the Note 4 to begin with. I have lost complete faith in these losers who sell phones, and will now try to understand via forums such as these...it seems there is a much better version of reality in my experience, even though I am still wishing I could just run my Note 4 over with my vehicle lol.

As always, I really do appreciate the input...and maybe I will even try going to a kiosk at Best Buy...like I said, I have nothing to lose at this point!

 

[TubeTote]

Sorry for the rant all, just frustrated I guess. And yes I do need to update my signature, I have newer computers than that (lol).

 

[Raduque]

You're not actually talking to a Best Buy employee. It's a Samsung employee. The kiosk is the "Galaxy" display, it only has Galaxy phones and Gears and the employees wear a slightly different color blue. Some of them are even able to repair broken screens and (on newer models) keep the IP68 rating.

The Best Buy employee trying to sell you the MHL cable just didn't know any better. S7's do support casting without needing a network, though.

I do agree that cable costs are out of control. I had 200/20 internet at my last house for $50/mo. I own my modem (~$60, one time, got it at Walmart!) and I have Netflix for internet streaming and Plex for local streaming and media archive (of course, my Plex server cost me around $800 all said and done).

 

[TubeTote]

The S7 supports casting? I looked into it quite thoroughly, because I was pretty serious about getting one. There were some options but all of them required some sort of wireless network (like Chromecast for example). I even went as far as to call Samsung, and their tech support could offer me no solutions. It's funny...I almost feel that I know more about smart phones than the sales people or their technical folk at this point!

In any case, nothing I have done has worked for getting this phone back to stock, so I will try Best Buy this afternoon and see what happens. Thanks again for all the help...despite it not working, I have definitely learned from the experience. I may need to do the same to my Galaxy Note 3...in fact today I am putting a new LCD and screen on it, another new experience. I broke it in a hissy fit and it works but the screen is totally dark! Another lesson learned.

 

[Raduque]

Yes. I have successfully casted from my YouTube to both my Samsung and Vizio smart TVs, and to my nVidia Shield.

I'm sorry you couldn't get it to go back to stock.

 

[TubeTote]

Yes. I have successfully casted from my YouTube to both my Samsung and Vizio smart TVs, and to my nVidia Shield.

I'm sorry you couldn't get it to go back to stock.

Hey no worries, it was educational to say the least. My solution is that I won't root a phone again unless I own it and it is basically not worth selling. I did find a company here in Denver that might be able to help, and they only charge $25. That will be my last ditch effort. I tried Best Buy...the guy was very friendly and tried to fix the problem, but once he realized that the phone had been rooted he was unable to do anything more. One other thing that I learned from talking to these guys...once a Samsung phone has been rooted, they can tell even if the phone is unrooted. There is some sort of 'counter' (that's what he called it) that let's them know. So...I basically cannot return the phone to T-Mobile either way, I'm stuck with it. I will see what the guy can do tomorrow, then either keep it for my own use or sell it on Ebay. Those are my only options at this point.

That being said, I have another question regarding these gadgets, and perhaps you can offer some insight. My mother won a Galaxy Tab 4 in a golf tournament. Since she already has a tablet, she gave it to me. It is model SM-T531. I was really excited because T-Mobile is offering a 3rd line for free, and the tablet needed only a SIM card. So I get the SIM card and install it, and was hugely disappointed to find that it is INCREDIBLY slow, to the point of being more or less worthless. I spoke with their tech and the guy told me that the tablet only supports 2G!!! A 2014 model and it doesn't even support 4G / LTE? That seems insane to me. Do you agree with what he is saying? And if so, is there a way to upgrade the tablet or software to make it a usable device? I will admit that in the settings, there was no option for 4G / LTE...he was saying that this is a hardware, not a software issue.Thanks for any feedback.

Having some REALLY shitty luck with my tech I guess! :/

 

[sweenish]

Just google the specs for your tablet.

 

[Raduque]

Did you tell the Samsung people at Best Buy the phone was rooted? I had rooted my S6 and ruined the FW myself and for whatever reason Odin wouldn't flash it at all (IIRC, it wouldnt' even detect the phone properly) and the Samsung Kiosk at Best Buy were able to restore the phone to stock for me, but I didn't tell them it was rooted.

As for your tablet, it definitely doesn't have an LTE radio, and probably doesn't even support HSPA+. If it's only doing 2g, either T-Mobile has turned off 3g, or it doesn't support T-Mobile's 3g frequencies.

 

[TubeTote]

Just google the specs for your tablet.

Hah...something I should have done before I invested in a keyboard case, screen mirroring cable and SIM card. I just never thought something from a few years back could be so outdated and downright shitty. Go figure, it was a prize giveaway.

 

[TubeTote]

Did you tell the Samsung people at Best Buy the phone was rooted? I had rooted my S6 and ruined the FW myself and for whatever reason Odin wouldn't flash it at all (IIRC, it wouldnt' even detect the phone properly) and the Samsung Kiosk at Best Buy were able to restore the phone to stock for me, but I didn't tell them it was rooted.

As for your tablet, it definitely doesn't have an LTE radio, and probably doesn't even support HSPA+. If it's only doing 2g, either T-Mobile has turned off 3g, or it doesn't support T-Mobile's 3g frequencies.

Actually, I just played dumb regarding the rooting. I told him that I was simply trying to update the stock firmware and this is what happened. He was really nice about it...but he pointed out the 'custom' line in the phone downloading screen and said 'what you actually did was root your phone'. LOL joke is on me I guess. He was nice about it and thought I should try bringing it to the T-Mobile store to 'plead my case'...but I already know that those people are complete morons so I'm not going to bother.

What a drag about that tablet. Made in 2014 and outdated before it even hit the shelves. I think you are correct in that it supports 3G but the frequencies are not working with the tablet, the tech support guy mentioned something of that nature. This leads me to a question...I need a tablet that will work with 4G / LTE. When I shop for one, should I just play it safe and get one that is T-Mobile 'branded' (or whatever the term would mean in that it was designed for their networks)?

Have a nice Sunday. Up at 2 (actually 3 AM now blah) so I could drive my love to work. :/

 

[Raduque]

Actually, I just played dumb regarding the rooting. I told him that I was simply trying to update the stock firmware and this is what happened.

I didn't even tell them that much. I think I told the girls there that it got really hot in my pocket and it was like that when I took it out.

As for the tablet, yea, that's your safest bet. A branded device is going to work best on the network.

 

[TubeTote]

I didn't even tell them that much. I think I told the girls there that it got really hot in my pocket and it was like that when I took it out.

As for the tablet, yea, that's your safest bet. A branded device is going to work best on the network.

Yeah I figured as much, I'll go check out what they have at the T-Mobile store.

My smart phone nightmare is finally over. I found a shop in a strange part of town, called the 'far east' plaza...very aptly named. This guy fixed both my Note 3 and Note 4 in less than 30 minutes and charged me $110 total. I tried to replace the Note 3 screen...about half way in, I decided it was over my head and I'd rather spend $50 than risk ruining the phone. Lessons learned ...I won't ever f*** with smart phones again, it just isn't worth the frustration and risk. I'll stick to what I know and let other people make bad decisions like I once did.

Thanks to all who tried to help!

 

[TubeTote]

Quick question...

What does 'unlocking' a phone mean? Is that the same as rooting the phone?

 

[sweenish]

GOOGLE.

The questions you're currently asking are basic enough that they've been answered a lot already.

The quick answer is no.

 

[Raduque]

You're welcome TubeTote. Glad you got them fixed! That Note 3 screen - it was the first time I'd ever replaced a cellphone display and I aced it. I actually found to be extremely easy, but it was just the glass, and luckily the digitizer was not part of the glass.

As for your question, no. "Unlocking" is allowing for a different SIM card to work in the phone, ie: an AT&T SIM card in a T-Mobile phone. Verizon phones are always unlocked - you could buy one retail from Verizon without service and immediately go stick a SIM from a different carrier (except Sprint) in it.

Rooting is root access (like on Linux) or like the Administrator account on Windows.

 

[TubeTote]

GOOGLE.

The questions you're currently asking are basic enough that they've been answered a lot already.

The quick answer is no.

You sound like an old ex-friend of mine. You know, sometimes I just like a bit of interaction with others on here.

 

[sweenish]

And that's well and good.

I'm just trying to make sure that interaction isn't pointless. You also need to learn to help yourself as well. Or are you going to rely on the kindness of people on this board to hold your hand like they did in this thread every time you have an issue?

 

[TubeTote]

And that's well and good.

I'm just trying to make sure that interaction isn't pointless. You also need to learn to help yourself as well. Or are you going to rely on the kindness of people on this board to hold your hand like they did in this thread every time you have an issue?

Ummm OK then...you go ahead and make sure that the interaction in the threads isn't pointless...sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Go ahead and police the forums if it makes you feel better, but I will ask whatever I want. Seems there are plenty of kind people willing to help and I didn't ask for yours. Geez.

 

[sweenish]

As long as you realize you will quickly spoil what good will you have constantly asking such basic questions as often as you are, go right ahead. And no, you didn't ask for my help specifically. Just everyone on the board. And hey, I frequent this board.

I rather like this board, and you have three threads in the last couple days, two of which are pointless. I was supportive at first, because the situation you were in sucked. For me, you've already lost that sympathy. The kinder members will eventually lose their kindness as well while you continue to ask asinine questions that are easily searched for ahead of time. Because these members are here to actually discuss mobiles devices and tech, not be at your beck and call when you have a basic question. I say beck and call because, when you didn't get an answer fast enough for your tastes, you created a new thread to ask it again.

Your desire to learn about this stuff is good, but it's going to require some actual work on your part. Questions that are not easily answered with a simple Google search (not your tablet specs or the difference between unlocking and rooting), even I would be happy to answer.

But if this board is allowed to be inundated by people like you too lazy to attempt even a cursory search, the board will go right to hell and no useful discussions will be had.

I'm still glad you got your phone fixed.

 

[TubeTote]

I understand your point of view completely...but know that I couldn't even use the internet effectively when my phone went down as it is my only source of access (other than public access, which I do not trust). Not like I any longer trust private access for that matter.

Anyway, I was using my love's phone to get online access but that isn't always an option, so I was a bit more desperate and anxious than I would normally be. As stated in my very first post in a very long while, I am behind in my understanding of tech, especially when it comes to smart phones. I will admit I have become 'lazy' in this regard, but there are so many other things I have been preoccupied with, and my time is very limited.

I remember the Anandtech forums as being very helpful in the past when I was building PCs and my phone was simply that, with perhaps a few perks. Enough with the excuses though, I will just pay someone next time I have a tech issue since the learning curve is pretty expansive and I don't want to distract others from their own pursuits.

I do greatly appreciate the input I received from everyone including yours, thank you.