yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
After unusual complications with installing custom software and issues a person with a locked bootloader may experience, I decided to contact Samsung to find out what was going on. They basically told me that the U.S variants are locked and so are the exynos variants (but we already know those arent). I also found there are issues with flashing custom software. There is still possible light for the issue as the rep was somewhat hinting at an HTC type of way to unlock the bootloader.

EDIT: With a recent chat we have some hope that Samsung may allow us to do a HTC devs type of unlock.

Take a look at the new chat that makes me think we will have an HTC type of bootloader unlock in the U.S

They were hinting at an HTC devs method of unlocking the boot!

"Srikanth M: I do understand your concern regarding unlocking the bootloader on S7. However, we ate live chat do not have this information. As of now, Samsung doesn't have an option of unlocking the boot loader." It gives us some hope and something to look forward to.

Take a look at our old chat:

Varsha G: Hi, thank you for contacting Samsung Technical Support. How may I help you today?
John: Hello, I have a question about my S7 (G930T_
John: )*
John: T-Mobile variant, obviously
Varsha G: Hello John!
John: Hello!
John: Im wondering if the bootloader is unlocked
John: not SIM unlocked
John: bootloader unlocked
Varsha G: Thank you for the model number.
Varsha G: I will be glad to help you with the required information on the bootloader lock on the device.
Varsha G: I would like to inform you that as per the Samsung, the new devices i.e S7 and S7 edge are boot loader locked, and we do not have an option to unlock the boot loader for the new devices as per the device limitations from Samsung.
Varsha G: I would like to inform you that, we in live chat deal only with the technical troubleshooting of the devices and unfortunately, we are not provided with the information on unlocking the boot loaders. Also, I should inform you that Unlocking your phone’s boot loader voids its warranty and also completely wipes (formats) your Android phone’s internal memory including applications, contacts, SMS and MMS messages etc and may lead to improper functioning of the phone(brick the phone). So Samsung do not recommend or assist unlocking the boot loader on your phone.
John: Thanks, I guess...

I think it's safe to say that as of now we can infer all Samsung Galaxy S7's in the United States are bootloader locked. However, Samsung may provide us with a way to unlock in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Ethanscooter
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Confirmed myself and with other reps that it is bootloader locked. Updated thread.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Updated thread, after doing my own tests and speaking to numerous representatives I concluded that the Galaxy S7's bootloader IS LOCKED FOR ALL U.S MODELS! However, Samsung most likely will have an HTC type unlock bootloader method. Like HTC Devs.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Corwinder:
Thank you for checking that. I knew someone else was lying when he said he contacted Samsung. He just assumed since I couldn't use ADB to install the recovery then the bootloader was locked. Duh, if it were that easy we all wouldn't be looking for an Odin flashable method. Again, thanks for taking the time to find that out.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
I know who you're talking about, the reason you couldn't use ADB to install the recovery that way is because you need root to install the recovery that way. Also, he probably contacted Samsung and they said it was locked because they were thinking of SIM unlocking, like my representative. Once I clarified what I meant they said the bootloader was not locked!

But I do know who you're talking about, and he probably is lying..
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Corwinder:
Agreed. I notice he didn't answer if the G930T kernel source was out yet.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
When the kernel sources do get released they will be located here: http://opensource.samsung.com/reception/receptionSub.do?method=sub&sub=F&searchValue=SM-G930T

Also, he was talking about a 930A kernel? That doesn't make sense, do we even have a 930A kernel? It's almost impossible to do anything to the G930A because of it's locked bootloader and if you root it then you can't use the phone due to a security feature.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Corwinder:
no the only kernel sources he had was for the G930F
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Which is one of the factors as to why the recovery wouldn't work for our phone...

Do you see why I didn't like the guy?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] jcadduono:
ya i dont like him either he has no idea what hes talking about
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Root-Maniac:
Glad to hear all this. Thanks guys
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] noahajac:
You need to flash recovery in fastboot, not ADB. Unless in some scenarios if it is rooted.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] mocsab:
I appreciate your going to the troiuble to do this, but what gave you the idea that the Bootloader was locked on TMobile S7 Edge in the firstt place? Just curious? I am not sayingI know everything by any means - but I wasn't concerned at all...?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] peachpuff:
S7 is bootloader locked, bootloader unlocked, not a bootloader locked? English might not be his first launguage but I don't think even he knows what he's talking aboot.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] jcadduono:
http://xdaforums.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/root-discussion-future-sticky-root-t3327399/page4

Stop relaxing and read from that page and on.

The normal S7 falls under the same category as the S7 Edge.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] thrgk:
Any news on Verizon boot loader or root
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] jcadduono:
try flashing https://idlekernel.com/twrp/hero2qlte/3.0.0-0/twrp-3.0.0-0-hero2qltetmo.tar.md5

while it isn't for your phone (it's actually for T-Mobile S7 Edge), if it at least flashes then you are in the clear and I will happily port TWRP for your device.

If the flash fails with SECURE CHECK FAIL, then you are out of luck. (nothing is changed and it won't trip knox)

RESULTS

if it flashes successfully, and trips knox, then you have an unlocked bootloader, and twrp will happen for you in a few days

if it does not flash, it will not trip knox, and nothing will have changed, but you have a locked bootloader
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] thrgk:
So no chance of screwing up my phone really ?

BTW twrp allows root right ? Or at least means it's possible ?

If no chance of brick I'd give it a go
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] jcadduono:
You won't brick. If it actually flashes you'll just be without stock recovery for a few days while we get an actual TWRP for your device ready.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] thrgk:
If it does flash is there anyway to get back to full stock ? BTW if it flashes does that mean root is possible ? Downloading now
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Corwinder:
Do me a favor and hook a Galaxy S7 to your computer and use Fastboot to show it. Modern Samsung phones do not work with Fastboot.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] jcadduono:
ya you can get back to full stock with kies, and yes, if it does flash that means root is possible - the moment a device gets twrp, it becomes rootable.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] thrgk:
Sorry I haven't had samsung for awhile . How do I flash this ? In recovery as zip or ? How do I enter recovery
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] noahajac:
For samsung devices you need to use download mode, and odin. Sorry was working on other things when I came upon this post.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Corwinder:
lol that's ok. I've had my share of misquotes before. I feel like crying though now after hearing two different accounts of people contacting Samsung about the bootloader on our phone. Both conflict each other but after what I've seen when trying to flash twrp and what I've read in the Edge forum it truly does look like the bootloader is locked. Let's hope at least root happens soon.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] seanvree:
Yeah, I can get to download and see the phone on my computer, but when I try to flash via ODIN, it doesn't take.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
I got secure check failed on my T-Mobile S7 (flat) this is so weird! Is Samsung enforcing the fact that they don't want you to flash other firmwares/recoveries on their phones besides ones specifically designed for that phone? This is just weird...
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] coyttl:
Interesting, is there that much of a difference between the S7 and the S7 Edge?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] jcadduono:
Only the screen panel and touchscreen sensors are different. (I diff'd their kernel configurations when porting TWRP)

Even their flattened device trees are pretty much the same, and the S7 edge will happily boot on an S7 kernel, but will have a black screen.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] seanvree:
Yup, got the same thing too.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Returning for a G5 if this is true.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] coyttl:
Huh - interesting to know. Thanks for the info. :)

Did you enable the 'OEM Unlock' (in Developer Settings) to ON before trying?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
I was just in another chat with them. LOL THEY DIDNT EVEN KNOW WE ALREADY KNOW THE EXYNOS VARIANT IS UNLOCKED FOR A FACT.

This person said it was locked and all their devices are locked which isn't true and the other person said it wasn't.

#confusion
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] seanvree:
Yes
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] n4noAbyss:
Live chat support are useless, even if he said 100% it was unlocked I wouldn't trust it for a minute until the devs confirm. So lets just skip the middleman and wait for devs. But devs have already confirmed it is locked. So its over.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Eh, I'm asking them one more time. While I'm at it, I'll be trash talking TouchWiz directly to them.

#dontevencare
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
That would suck if we did find out all S7's in the United States are BL unlocked. Especially considering the fact that really smart devs would've been playing with a SD820 and not an Exynos powered phone.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] n4noAbyss:
Yeah its terrible :(, but thats the case, tmobile, verizon and sprint confirmed so far.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
WAIT A MINUTE?!? READ THE TRANSCRIPT AGAIN! They were talking about unlocking the bootloader! Was the rep hinting to a HTC unlock bootloader kind of method?! Like, where the bootloader is locked but you can unlock it.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Tenchi4U:
Looks like my new S7 is going on eBay. Glad I kept my M9.

EDIT: Based on the last comment, maybe I'll wait a few days and see how things unfold. I really want to move to the S7, but that BL tho'
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
We aren't sure about it just wait. This isn't right to forcefully lock all the phones in the U.S and not give us any method of unlocking if this is the case.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Where are they confirmed? The representatives are imbeciles.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Tenchi4U:
Not right or not legal? I've noticed larger companies care less and less about the former as long as sales for 99% of the generic public is unaffected.

Even if I do have to sell the S7, I'm not out too much, got in on the bogo deal and got my wife off an ancient iphone and off of incredibad Sprint. And free VRgear * 2
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Even though he is from Seoul and he probably could care less nor respond I want to ask [MENTION=4898097]arter97[/MENTION] about his opinion.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
I regret to inform you that at this point you can say the phone you are using if you live in the USA and it's an S7 has a locked bootloader. I can basically confirm this myself.

Sorry for being an idiot and not looking at all the evidence I had right in front of me like the types of ODIN fails we were getting and the chats.

Sorry guys ;(
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Alarand:
Samsung support is pretty bad at providing specific technical information at least via chat.

I wouldn't rely on anything they tell you other than maybe pricing information
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Tenchi4U:
I totally get wanting to have hope. Unless something develops in the next few days, it's off to ebay for my "free" S7 (sometime next week) - hope HTC never stops caring about us 0.01%ers.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Let's face it! We tested it ourselves and we concluded it was locked but in our denial we decided that we should keep asking. We're just going to have to accept it ;(.

I knew this phone couldn't be perfect.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Alarand:
Yeah I hadn't read the comments from the other threads, looks like it is locked.

However still, don't trust anything a Samsung rep tells you
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] gdmlaz:
Question doesn't this unlock the bootloader ??? I Remember we had this issue on the galaxy 5 ??? CAN A DEV LOOK AT THIS ???? ASAP
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
That just turns the FRP lock off we already tried that, did our tests, nothing.

Read everything, sir. Even the Verizon S7s and S6s have that.

To answer your question, no it does not.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] gdmlaz:
Then we are official F..... lol RIP
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
This new chat is weird... Something isn't right here...
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] combatmedic870:
WTF IS THIS ****!!! bootloader locked?!?!
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
In the United States only, sorry ;(.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] combatmedic870:
Well... This is very disappointing. I was super excited about this phone. Now I'm not very happy with it.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Josh McGrath:
Guess I'll be sticking to my v10 and send this s7 back
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] hella356:
Finally a phone I consider worthy of replacing my S4, & it's got a locked bootloader? Ugh. Maybe something will change or the Exynos version will work on TMo. If not, I'll be looking at the G4 & M10. And if TMo is no longer going to be ROM friendly, there's not much reason to stick with them after 10+ years.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] metalfan78:
This is terrible news. Hopefully samsung provides a way to unlock soon.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] coyttl:
Well, f*ck.

If nothing new is released by tomorrow, I'm taking mine back to the store. And if they don't take it back, I'll do a charge-back. I needed something to replace my dying S4.

Looks like I'll take some hints and look at HTC or such now.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] androidddaaron:
Agreed this is super depressing news . Unreal in fact!

After they finally get it right on a bad a$$ device we get no play out if it.

I think a lot of people will be sending back .I highly doubt we will see a HTC unlock method .

I paid full price 740 cash $ out right there's no other device I wanted that's as new .

I need sd card support I'm not reverting back to a note 4 , maybe I'll opt out for a lgg4.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] metalfan78:
I might send it back also. It's a great phone, but I need to have root access.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Updated thread again, read the transcript.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] metalfan78:
Still a little worried about it.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] rfb813:
I was bout to go to T-Mobile this week and purchase a S7 but with this uncertainty regarding a locked bootloader and Root I will wait until we see something more definitive. It is very disappointing that T-Mobile joined the ranks of the other Companies to lock the bootloader on the Samsung. I wonder if we will see locked bootloader on other phones as well.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Son Rise:
Don't give up hope. It will be a root method!! Belive in it
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] metalfan78:
I'm worried that it will/will not come after my grace period is up. And certain Verizon and AT&T versions were unflashable and were never unlocked.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] combatmedic870:
I don't see any evidence about anything. I think your just reading into it too much. If you want root or an unlocked bootloader. I'd look else where. There may be an SD card exploit for root someday. But not in days.... Or weeks.

The S7 and s7e ARE DOA. No unlocked bootloader, no development.

Either enjoy the phone as is. Or return it and eat the 50 dollar restocking fee.

I'm likely going to keep the phone personally. It has everything I need in a phone plus it's water proof. I'm questioning the battery life though. It just hasn't been very good.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] xdapowerapps:
Same boat as both of you. Thought the S7 would be a good replacement for my trustworthy S4.... but then a locked bootloader? I don't have the time to wait for an exploit to be found for root. Any alternatives to the S7? :confused:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
YAY!

EVERYONE, TWEET AT SAMSUNG NOW!

http://xdaforums.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/root-discussion-future-sticky-root-t3327399/page37
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] combatmedic870:
I've been heavily tweeting
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] metalfan78:
+1
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Josh McGrath:
I'm bringing my twitter back from the dead just for this reason. Hopefully, John legure will pull this off. He's a good guy and quite honestly I'm surprised he knew what a bootloader was unless he had to ask his engineers. But the fact that he even asked his engineers to talk to Samsung is more than att and Verizon ceo would EVER do for their customers
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] kchannel9:
I'd tweet John instead...

Tweeting John will have much more effect than Samsung, who doesn't care at all. I think if enough of us respectfully ask him, he will get it handled if possible.

---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 PM ----------

Also, I thanked him just now for looking into it.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
I've been including Samsung and John in my tweets.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] KCRic:
No Twitter here. Any other way to send him a message?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] danon.brown:
Email
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] ethanscooter:
Email him at john.legere@t-mobile.com

Someone confirm this is the right email
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] KCRic:
Awsome! Thank you :good:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Josh McGrath:
Anyone had any responses other than the generic ones?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] nappent:
Is there any way to port this over?

http://xdaforums.com/att-galaxy-s6/general/root-5-1-1-qa-oj7-root-snag-t3334546
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] combatmedic870:
Nah. Im sure someone with find an exploit via the SD card slot soon enough. It's the most vulnerable area.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] WryIchi:
I'm wondering if this vulnerability will apply to us: https://thehackernews.com/2016/03/android-root-hack.html

Unless there are any forced updates, it'd probably be (as per usual, I suppose) wise to avoid updating until we see if this is a thing.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Corwinder:
Nope, that article doesn't list our 820, our kernel if I remember is 3.18 also. And then the update we have is actually dated for February and it just took this long to roll it out while the story came out just yesterday I believe.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] CapMor:
I just checked the link and the source file is listed. Does it provide any value at this point?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Josh McGrath:
Don't think so since its also out for the Att model which is also locked down
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] BoiBundy:
Maybe all the Samsung fans will join the LG V10 wagon. Amazing phone:victory::victory::victory:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions & Answers] Josh McGrath:
That's why am using currently. Pretty great phone honestly
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jaitsu:
Alright, so - I just got my hands on a Note 3 from a friend in Canada, aaaand naturally the first thing I wanna do with it is root it and stick a ROM on it. But most of the guides I've come across are somewhat outdated, and I'm a little hesitant to follow an outdated guide in case there's a mismatch of some sort with the kernel, bootloader, etc. I really don't wanna brick the thing the same day I get it.

It's on Build Number LRX21V.N900W8VLU2DOH1, Android 5.0/Lollipop, kernel 3.4.0-4348112. Reactivation Lock is off in settings. Again, it's a Canadian phone, and I believe the original carrier was Telus (it's not unlocked but he's going to get me the unlock code later today, supposedly)

I looked through the CF-AutoRoot list and I don't see this particular version available, but I think I saw in a thread on here that other AutoRoot packages will work with it.

I'm not totally clueless here, I've fiddled with my Galaxy S3 plenty and managed not to brick it, but I'd rather look before I leap.
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] audit13:
Flash twrp 2.8.7.1 via Odin and then flash supersu via twrp.
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jaitsu:
Sweet. Do I have anything to worry about with flashing roms, KNOX, etc.?
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] audit13:
Flashing twrp will trip the Knox counter and supersu will disable Knox.
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jaitsu:
Alrighty. I'm not too worried about the Knox counter as long as that doesn't have any bad implications for the device (no rom flashing or something), I'm certainly not gonna be claiming any warranties.
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] audit13:
You need to flash twrp if you want to install a custom rom.
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jaitsu:
Yup, done, SuperSU's installed and root appears to work! Thanks for the advice. Now I just need to figure out why the back button stopped working. I read there's some custom kernel that fixes this.

EDIT: Yeah, idleKernel fixed the back button.
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] heimdallZ:
Where can i find this kernel
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jaitsu:
idleKernel is sorta defunct nowadays, I think, but I think I've found a mirror for you here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0By1qJV6BVww0NHRfX2tzNjJLWEE

If you have an N900W8, you want hlte-can. Honestly, though, it's been so long since I used idleKernel that I'm not 100% sure this is compatible with stock OH1 - best to make a backup with TWRP first.
[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] heimdallZ:
Tanks

I want just to root my fone and install twrp