yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpcalhoun:
Well, if it is a Developer Edition then you should see Developer Mode after factory reset. Here is what I would do. It is your decision whether you want to do it or not. I would go ahead and ODIN the Verizon TWRP tar file found here: http://www.techerrata.com/browse/twrp2/trltevzw. You want the .tar file. One of two things will happen when you ODIN that file, it will either give you a big green PASS or a FAIL. If it passes then you have TWRP recovery and you can now flash SuperSU in recovery. If it fails then it fails, a failed process in this case will not brick or harm your phone. If it fails then I suspect they sent you a Retail version of the Note 4 that did not get unlocked before shipment. You paid for a Developer Edition so you'll certainly want to talk to Samsung about a replacement.

Here is my logic for going ahead and trying to ODIN recovery. Your receipt, acknowledgement and payment clearly establishes that you have every right to expect Samsung sent you a Developer Edition phone. Installing TWRP via ODIN is a safe and accepted method of flashing a custom recovery. You also have every right to expect that your Developer Edition phone with an unlocked bootloader would accept a custom recovery if flashed in ODIN (you're not performing a undocumented procedure here). If it fails then they did not uphold the terms of your contract. They need to replace your phone with a Developer Edition.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] lbp102:
If only logic and Samsung Customer support were the same thing... common sense just ain't all that common anymore.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] triton302:
Guys, I still have my DE sitting in the box on my desk. A few inquiries but no interest. Hit me with a PM if you're interested, I'd rather someone here be happy with a DE (especially right now since you can't buy one) than send it back to Samsung. Let me know.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpcalhoun:
Yeah, I hear you loud and clear. But I think DeetzSw has a valid argument if he paid for a DE but got sent a Retail version. I'm not sure what's going on with his phone (not showing Developer Mode) unless he really has a Retail version.

---------- Post added at 11:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 AM ----------

Man if I could use two I'd buy it from you.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] DeetzSw:
It's going back.

Thanks all for your help - I've got a NON DE...

ODIN fails.

Now the question becomes, will they have another one to send me, and I will insist on it being documented with sleeve on the box, and clearly with "Developers Edition" marked on the device and rear cover....

Deetz
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpcalhoun:
So sorry to hear that man. I think you may have more leverage in getting a DE replacement than someone who is just now ordering one and is on the back order list. I guess the best you can do is call Samsung, explain the situation and see what they say. You can insist on a DE that has the markings on the box and Developer Device etched underneath the battery, but you may have to wait longer for that than for a Retail version that they unlock in-house. They are the same phone, the markings on the box may be different, but they are the same exact phone with the exception of the unlocked bootloader on the DE. Your call. Again, sorry for your misfortune.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] airmaxx23:
So the waiting game begins, I should have my DE Note 4 sometime next week then I need to decide if I want to sell my retail model or keep it.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] radionerd:
That's messed up.

The missing "Mode: Developer" is the concern

The following are normal prior to flashing the 1st time

CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official

SYSTEM STATUS: Official

The next big challenge will be to get them to forward ship a new DE, or agree to flash it to DE, not retail. This is the problem, you call Samsung, they won't know what a developer is.

There are several folks around here that were able to contact someone that knew what a DE was, maybe one of them will share their contact with you. If it was me I would start with the 800 number on your invoice. This might lead you to someone that can actually make this right.

I have attached a photo of my note-4 DE prior to flashing mods.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] ryanbg:
If it does not say MODE: Developer the device is NOT unlocked. It will only say that if the proper signature is on your bootloader. You need to contact Customer Support and have them unlock it, although you'll probably have to dig deep for the right people. You can also send me a copy of your bootloader and I can inspect it in case any minor errors are present.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] pego99:
Excellent advise from JP that is what I would try. Mine is not marked DE but luckily it is a DE. Good luck.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] triton302:
Disregard my last, it has been sold. Thanks.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] airmaxx23:
If you just sold it on Swappa a couple of hours ago I'm the one who bought it. Get 'er sent out!!! :good:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] triton302:
Nope, it was on here via PM.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] bdorr1105:
that is exactly what i was saying from the beginning brosephelades
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpcalhoun:
Yep, you're right. But, it's hard to convince a new user or an inexperienced user to ODIN something with the assurance that if it fails nothing bad will happen:) I waited a long time before I recommended he go ahead and ODIN the TWRP recovery .tar. I just suspected he wasn't ready to do that until all other options had not produced the desired results. I've been there, we all have.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] RedCrow101:
I'm in the same boat. Bought a developer, then decided to go for the black Friday deals and bought a retail on contract, now I'm trying to decide which one to sell.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] VirgilWoods:
I've been gone for a few days overseas dealing with some clients. Now I come back to one of our own getting a retail and not a DE. Lame. Didn't even hear back from Samy about a darn thing. So stagnant :( I guess cyber monday week has taken a toll on them /s

I still have a DE for sale if anyone wants to pm me about it.

---------- Post added at 05:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------

Plus think of how many enemies you'd make from all those bricked phones, JP ♡
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpcalhoun:
That's always my biggest concern when offering advice. It would absolutely kill me to know that I told someone to do something and it bricked his phone. If I'm not certain about something, I don't offer a solution or opinion. I want to be part of the solution, not add to the problem.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] RedCrow101:
Looks like mine is also a retail and not a DE. I just tried flashing TWRP through ODIN after not seeing the "Mode: Developer" in ODIN mode. Frustrating to say the least, guess I'll be calling them up.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Sakete:
Question, if I were to get the Note 4 Developer Edition, would I be able to use it with a provider like Page Plus Cellular (a Verizon MVNO)? The told me on the phone that only regular non-prepaid Verizon phones will work with them. I'm assuming the Developer Edition is such a phone, correct?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] tfly212:
Should work fine...you might need to add the APN info but that's easy.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] radionerd:
There are two tiers of Verizon Pre paid phones. On Verizon if your not paying for data in your pre-paid plan, you can't use a smart phone, only basic flip phones. Pre-Paid plan that will work on Verizon is called 4G Prepaid Plan $45 a month.

You should ask your provider if Verizon 4G devices are OK to use. If so you're golden.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] xxx42069:
Man this really sucks, I feel for you. I'd be so pissed. I wish you and the other guy good luck in getting this sorted out.

sent from my rooted, debloated Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Developer edition
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] smhemi:
Sent mine back yesterday, they emailed me a return label.I also printed out a picture in download mode of what its suppose to look like with a unlocked bootloader, I stuffed that in the box also.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] azumandias:
Lol, maybe Samsung should be paying some of you guys as customer service reps. I know I will always be coming here first with a question before I even think of calling the Samsung "help" line.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] radionerd:
Were you able to find someone that knew what a DE was, and were they able to direct you in the right direction, not to the regular repair facility?

Did you contact Samsung via regular customer service?

Are they replacing with a new DE, or did it go back to the Samsung service center? They really should be forward replacing DE's for you guys that received Retail phones instead of DE's.

If it went to the regular service center they will most likely confirm it works, then ship it back in the same condition "Locked boot loader". The Service centers don't have the tools to flash it to DE.

Please update us on how they take care of their screw up.

Thanks,
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] smhemi:
I called the number on my receipt I think the guys name was Dan. He new what a DE is. Long story short there going to engrave it and check the bootloader for me, so we will see what happens. Its getting shipped back to the Samsung fulfillment center in Dallas.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Arcolog2:
I'd love if mine was engraved. The sticker in my battery cover wasn't even changed. Still shows retail version.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] radionerd:
Great!

Glad you called the number on the invoice :)

The guys that want there phones engraved should call the same number. Tell them you want special gold leave stickers made up, and sent to you rather than be without a phone while going to TX and Back.

Developer Edition or 4:20PM Fri Developer Edition Make them print up some nice stickers :)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] skillzo1:
I sent mine back yesterday as well to be engraved. They really messed this entire DE release up. Problem after problem after problem.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] RedCrow101:
I can tell you for my return, they will not be sending me a new DE, or unlocking the bootloader. They will refund my money though, but have no replacements. Crappy, but honestly it's whatever at this point. I called the number on the invoice, the rep knew what a DE phone was, but their supervisor could only approve a return for refund.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] radionerd:
Their screw up, and they are not standing behind their product. Which was incompetently handle by Samsung. Bad business, If you are not satisfied with this return only arrangement, call back, and get a manager involved. Explain that you bought a DE, they screwed up the order, and you would like Samsung to make it right. Be courteous, persistent, and have some ideas on what they will need to do to complete the transaction adequately.

Good Luck,

They should make an effort to resolve this adequately.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] skillzo1:
Here is the response i got frim a supervisor.....

These phones were sent to us as you received them from Corporate. We have nothing at all to do with the settings and IMEI associations. When I checked with the person here that could help me with that, she just told me that that is how we receive them. We are getting more in next week and we are going to check a few of these devices before we actually sell them. I wish I had more to tell you. If I find anything else about this issue I will be sure to share it with you.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] airmaxx23:
I got my DE in today, it feels nice to have root again. I've really missed it.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] -Alan:
So sent my phone in to get it etfhed. I recieved it. Phone is now etched. The phone box and sleeve both now say developer phone as well. :) whole process only took 3 days. :) sent it in Wednesday and got it back Friday.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] skillzo1:
Nice … .on the box is there a sticker over a sticker? Did they compensate you in any way?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] smhemi:
The lady from Samsung called me back today,there going to refund my money.Since the phones are shipped to them from where ever theres really nothing they can do , they dont unlock the bootloaders at the service center.Maybe if they go on sale again Ill take a chance and buy another one.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] ACiDxCHRiST:
So the first Update has landed for Retail owners, is there any possibility of getting this update ported over for us DevEd users. The update is minor but does have some cool fixes such as the Force Close when accessing System > Security that some folks are experiencing and improved WIFI performance.

Changlog here: http://www.verizonwireless.com/dam/support/pdf/system_update/benefits-galaxy-note-4-12-9-14.pdf?null
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] oneandroidnut:
hmm would be interesting to see if this update does anything
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] pego99:
Makes me wonder why there is a system update button under settings? Have you tried hooking up to a computer with kies?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpcalhoun:
Woooooooooo, be careful hooking your DE up to Kies. You may get a Retail firmware downloaded to your DE before you know what has happened. I've heard of it happening. I recommend staying away from hooking your DE up to anything Samsung or Verizon offers as a vehicle to get firmware or other downloads. I'm sure it's not by design on Samsung's part or Verizon's part, but if it detects "you need an update", you may get something you do not want.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] pego99:
Thanks it said I was up to date but will not do that again.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] ACiDxCHRiST:
No, no. Don't do that. It probably won't work but if it does, you will wish you hadn't. The reason the system update option is there is because it is in the retail note 4. The only difference of a DevEd is an unlocked bootloader and a 1 digit change to the model number.

The different model number *SHOULD* ensure that you don't receive OTAs for the retail model.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] tfly212:
I never understood the urgency to install updates by people with rooted or unlocked boot loaders...99.9% of updates are minor and their details are usually revealed a few days later so you can see if they are benign or not and if they actually do anything substantial.

Best case they do almost nothing...worst case you get locked down or bricked. Why risk it?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] igknight:
I agree, if it was Lollipop I could understand, but I think this only has to do with Samsungs VR or something.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Blackiisky:
I just would like to get the vr support for my dev edition other wise I wouldn't care
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] airmaxx23:
I'm loving my DE, now I just need to sell me retail model. I'm going to try to sell it locally for $500 first, it's only 4 weeks old and looks new.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] arjun90:
Can I use the developer version on the AT&T or T-Mobile networks?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] skillzo1:
Well got my phone back today. I have not rooted it yet. Just wondering my phone keeps force closing settings when i try to go into my security tab. Anyone else experiencing this? Any fix?

UPDATE: just incase anyone else has this problem, it was something involved with the s view cover case. Once i removed it, i was able to get back into the security options.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] urmcgwy:
Yeah my phone won't work with the Gear VR without the update... Wondering if those apps are just an apk we can steal from the T-Mobile or Sprint folks...

Sent from my unlocked and rooted Verizon Galaxy Note 4 DE!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Blackiisky:
Well i tried taking all the occulus apps and anything that looked related to it from a family members note 4 (i've used the gear vr on their phone in the meantime) . I installed them all, they all installed successfully, no errors. but still upon trying to use the gear vr it tells me i need an update.https://s3.amazonaws.com/pushbullet-uploads/ujyJqP8Vg2S-2pTcshH6t4C3aXH6tWieMtAWCOmIJhdq/Screenshot_2014-12-11-22-07-31.png
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpmcnown:
I just got my Gear VR in, plugged my phone in, and was like, "son of a B". I just want someone to jack the VR stuff from the new update, and see if I can put it on my DE N4.

EDIT: Just read the above posts. This sucks. I wonder if we can "trick" the software into thinking we've received the update. Like a simple build.prop change?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] azumandias:
Was that Note 4 a Verizon phone or a different carrier?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Blackiisky:
It's a verizon phone.

Not that i actually know much of what i'm doing but i've made a backup of my build.prop and will see if there's anything i can do in there to make it work.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] azumandias:
Sorry, I should have been clearer. What carrier was the phone from which you took the apk's? Were they files from the new Verizon update or from another carrier's phone that was already working with the VR?

Thanks for working on this for the community.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Blackiisky:
so not to get hopes up but after changing in the build prop to the updated version number it did allow me past the step where it told me i needed to be updated. ill edit if it works ( i don't know of any bad side effects from doing this so im not sure id recommend it unless someone with more experience can comment)

***Edit***

Going well so far, installed the game darknet, runs as it does on the family members note 4. im going to download a few more games and apps and such

---------- Post added at 11:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 PM ----------

It was from a retail verizon phone but im not quite sure if those apks i extracted were installed because of the update or just from using the gear VR.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpmcnown:
That's awesome! You could do everyone a solid and make a quick guide, post the .apk's on Google drive, and start a new thread just to outline the fix, if it indeed appears to work as we're all hoping.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Blackiisky:
I dont think the apks are needed. when it let me bypass the update check it downloaded any apps i was missing so it should download anything it needs. so i think maybe just the build prop edit is needed. the things i edited in the buildprop was i replaced the current software version with N910VVRU1ANJ5 any place i found it in the build prop. I didnt take the time to find out which of the edits were actual needed to allow it move forward.

ro.build.display.id=KTU84P.N910VVRU1ANJ5

ro.build.version.incremental=N910VVRU1ANJ5

ro.build.description=trltevzw-user 4.4.4 KTU84P N910VVRU1ANJ5 release-keysro.build.

PDA= N910VVRU1ANJ5

ro.build.hidden_ver= N910VVRU1ANJ5_NIE

These were the edits i made to my buildprop. make a backup before editing as always incase anything goes wrong.

I reverted back to my original buildprop and all seems to still be well. so possibly the change is only needed to bypass the update check?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpmcnown:
Those changes worked like a charm.(I fixed your typo) Thanks. Part of getting the Note 4, was having the VR, and I would have been super bummed if having opt'd for an unlocked device would have resulted in NOT being able to use the VR. I was actually tossing around the idea of flashing the retail firmware to my phone.......nah, I don't think so
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Blackiisky:
Sweet man, glad it worked. Yeah, the vr was a huge selling point for me on this phone and just like with you i decided this time around i needed the Dev edition of the device.

It sucked after i bought the gear vr when i saw it wasn't compatible with Verizon yet, but then it turned out to be a software update which, like you said, would have caused us to suffer with out the update needed to use what we bought. I depend on XDA 100% to come up with solutions and fixes and glad this time I'm actually able to contribute something. (though it was your suggestion to look into the buildprop, so thanks for helping us out :) )
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] urmcgwy:
So it really just seems like VZW just didn't want to allow it to run for some reason... anybody noticing any performance issues? I think that Oculus has system-level access to the Samsung hardware in order to allow a more seamless experience. Anybody with access to a retail note 4 see a difference in performance?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] airmaxx23:
Can the firmware update be installed on the DE?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Blackiisky:
I haven't noticed much difference between using it on a retail verizon note 4 and a dev edition. The only real difference I had was it cut me off of the vr (the dev edition) when it said my phone was getting too hot but that was during a time of frequent reboots and heavy usage. I'm also curious if the update actually added some needed things. Hopefully someone smarter than me will get a hold of it and find out and maybe get us a way to flash it if something is needed for a better vr experience.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] masri1987:
was anyone recently able to buy a dev ed? been checking daily but nothing.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] pego99:
How do I update my DE so it can work with the VR device?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpcalhoun:
Go back a couple of pages and there is an explanation.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] pego99:
Yes I saw that but I can't seem to find the link to the needed apk files. Thanks anyway.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] jpcalhoun:
I thought I saw them in one of the post. Sorry about that. Let me check where I saw them.

---------- Post added at 01:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:35 PM ----------

Thanks to Blackiisy, here you go:

"I dont think the apks are needed. when it let me bypass the update check it downloaded any apps i was missing so it should download anything it needs. so i think maybe just the build prop edit is needed. the things i edited in the buildprop was i replaced the current software version with N910VVRU1ANJ5 any place i found it in the build prop. I didnt take the time to find out which of the edits were actual needed to allow it move forward.

ro.build.display.id=KTU84P.N910VVRU1ANJ5

ro.build.version.incremental=N910VVRU1ANJ5

ro.build.description=trltevzw-user 4.4.4 KTU84P N910VVRU1ANJ5 release-keysro.build.

PDA= N910VVRU1ANJ5

ro.build.hidden_ver= N910VVRU1ANJ5_NIE

These were the edits i made to my buildprop. make a backup before editing as always incase anything goes wrong.

I reverted back to my original buildprop and all seems to still be well. so possibly the change is only needed to bypass the update check?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] mattdb:
This eventually doesn't seem to work either. It seems to be when some software installs. Also if you really need to get into those settings, boot the phone into safe mode. I believe that is accessible by holding the power off on the screen after you have held the power button down til it pops up

---------- Post added at 04:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:20 PM ----------

So how about a review of the VR? :)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] Nic J:
Could you help me

Hi there, I am in Europe and have a Gear VR and an Unlocked Note 4. No luck ... If I pay you, could you assist me with getting me past that damn update software window. Like I said, I am not sure when we'll get the update over here.

Thanks, Nick
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] skillzo1:
So far it has worked. Haven't had a problem since. And i will not be using the s view case anymore. But just incase it does, can you be more clear on how to get into safe mode? Thanks
[Verizon Galaxy Note 4 General] pego99:
Gear VR Innovator Edition : Designed for innovative consumers, specifically VR enthusiasts, developers, mobile experts and professionals, and early technology adopters.

Sammy says that the Gear VR is for developers so how do I use it with the Note 4 developer edition?