yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] Devhux:
Try putting the phone in Download or Recovery Mode and see what it says.

Vol-Down + Home + Power on for download mode, Vol-up + Home + Power on for recovery.

It's probably a fake phone. Checking what the baseband version is in the Settings menu may help too.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] alm0:
Some more info following your advice (thanks all !!!)

baseband : G930FVPU1APV5

there's no IMEI on the back that I can see/identify

recovery mode stops at a dead android screen saying 'no command' (that stopped my heart too for a sec :eek:) , then the home button goes to recovery menu that says

system recovery <3e>

LMY47I test-keys

and a lot more that mostly does nothing - no ROM anywhere I looked

Apply update from sdcard/cache - no go

reboot to boot loader did not work either, unclear why and no time now to play with this

The good news : it is a working phone, the seller was using it and took out his sim and sd card after using it.

Bad news : still no clue what I got, some kind of frankenphone.

I will try to upload pics - only I don't know how yet :confused:

Whatever this is, since can't trust it in current state, what ROM should I put on before trying to do something with it . And if I install another ROM, would this be safe to use - assuming it does what I want it to do ?

Thank you all for the replies, will keep digging and still hope some expert will weigh in.

Your help greatly appreciated.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] NeoDJW:
I'll never understand how can someone buy used thing without your own personal inspection of device from your hands. Sorry but you're dumb for doing this
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] peachpuff:
The s7 never came with lollipop, sounds like you got one of those s7 clones.

Download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cpuid.cpu_z&hl=en and post pics of what it says on https://imgur.com/
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] t-shock:
Sorry mate but it seems that either the os is custom or the phone is fake
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] avatar_ro:
why not both :)
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] t-shock:
Probably

If we had pictures, we would be able to recognise the phone better

---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:14 PM ----------

Probably

If we had pictures, we would be able to recognise the phone better
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] alm0:
Okay, so I'm dumb getting a phone I know nothing about from a stranger. Your point is??

So got into bootloader and got jiggy with it and it says it's a 930f.

And assume it will be good enough for what I need.

I'll go full geek on it and find a good rom.

Anything that has the fm radio app?
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] avatar_ro:
hey dude, I did not called you dumb but pretty sure what you did was not smart. why don't you send us some pictures of the phone? especially from the sides and back and we can quickly see if it's a ripoff or not.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] alm0:
No, I'm dumb and manly enough to admit it. :)

Did not do my homework so is my fault and paying for it.

In better news looks like I may have something I can work

with.

As long as I can get a rom I like. What's on it now is definitely debilitated, hardly anything there but don't trust it.

That and don't have a nano sim yet.

Waiting for rom recommendation, preferably with fm radio included.

Thanks again all!
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] rp3:
I don't think you understand. Alot of people here believe you have a counterfeit phone. If you do, then you have something that may have 1/4 the screen resolution, 1/4 the power and 1/5 the camera quality of the S7. Get the IMEI (settings > about phone) and check on swappa to confirm if you have a S7. Also, If you have a black image, does the screen off or does it have a slight glow (OLED screen should be off when a black image is on screen). If you do have a counterfeit, no rom on this forum will work with your phone. The other thing to check would be to try to boot to download mode, as only authentic samsungs have it. It's important as most rooting/custom roms involve you first flashing something in download mode via Odin.

Here are instructions for entering download mode:

Switch off your smartphone completely.

Press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.

Release these buttons when the Warning screen pops up.

I also fell for a counterfeit a few months ago. I spent ~$600USD on a white S7 from ebay. Fortunately, Ebay's seller protections were able to allow me to return the phone for a full refund.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] samnada:
"I also fell for a counterfeit a few months ago. I spent ~$600USD on a white S7 from ebay. Fortunately, Ebay's seller protections were able to allow me to return the phone for a full refund. "

I also fell for some fake headphones from eBay. Broke after 4 mos, sent them to Shure for warranty, came back "counterfeit". Found out Paypal has a 180 day refund policy. Notified them and had a full refund from the seller in about 5 min. Just an FYI.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] AB__CD:
Looks like either:

1. A cheap Chinese clone

2. A rooted Galaxy S6 (which is what the kingroot app is AFAIK).
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] Michiel0912:
Get your SN and restore it through Samsung Switch in Windows. This way you will find your phone back to a stock rom and not custom rom.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] alm0:
OK gang, is a clone s7. Big disappointment. But got to pay the price when I'm stupid.

Any one here needs one of these, can cut you a good deal :D

No clue what to do with it, ideas ?

(please don't say paperweight or doorstop, already thought of those)
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] frostyisgod:
Can you show us pics? So we see the fake.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] alm0:
Finally , we got pics.

Have a look, but clearly a fake.

If I had .5 oz of brain wouldn't have bought it, this is what happens when operating in idiot mode.

So, what can be done with this ?

If you need a phone to do surgery on, this might be for you.(great educational tool)

If you need a Chinese made S7 fake for a lawsuit against the manufacturer, this might be for you (and gonna cost you too :D ; oh, and I want a cut of the proceeds)

If you need a phone to show your friends/relatives what NOT to buy online, this might be for you.

If you want a fake S7 cause the all the Brooklyn hipsters have one, I can let this one go for a mere $875. I mean, come ON people, any doofus can get a real S7 at a local retailer. Who can get their hooks on a genuine fake ? Would you give your CC info to online site selling them ?

I think not, so this is the way to go , get it here while available !

Speak up if any ideas what to do with it (again, paperweight (TM) and doorstop (TM) are taken and have patent pending)

Thanks again for reading and posting replies.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] sachilleas:
Stop beating yourself up, it could have happened to anyone. It's a good fake btw. Only the Sim card slot seems out of place.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] clonk:
Find the dude who sold it to you and abruptly INSERT it!

---------- Post added at 11:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 PM ----------

FWIW, some giveaways that it's a knockoff:

- No displayed IMEI #

- countersunk SIM-SD tray (i.e., top surface of tray recessed below frame's surface)

- 'back' and 'running app' capacitive buttons visible with no back illumination
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] danieldp1990:
fake whatch this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2A_lFreZdI
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] peachpuff:
The thick black border around the screen is another giveaway.
[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] alm0:
Guessing the dude who sold me this will get f**ed in turn.

Most likely in a state penitentiary, What goes around comes around.

Price paid won't break me, chalk it up to lessons learned, and I rest easy knowing he has it coming one way or another.

Karma is a *****.

Thanks all for helping on this, slinking back into my hole now to lick my wounds.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] tenorband:
From reading around, it seems probably and most likely the bootloader will be locked which will make custom Roms and development very difficult. I am due an upgrade, thus I was wondering if anyone knows if a working Hotspot fix without root is available? Sprint variant, Note 7...just asking around before I upgrade.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
[MENTION=827428]heathmcabee[/MENTION] posted this fix here and you can find that app here.

All credit goes to [MENTION=827428]heathmcabee[/MENTION] for the fix. And obviously it's still a guess at this point since nobody has the Sprint variant yet, but I would guess there's a good chance this works. Good luck to you!

If you want to wait, i'll test it out when I get mine this weekend and post back the results. More than welcome to PM me and remind me if I haven't reposted by Sunday.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
I think that solution requires Root access. I'm reading through the thread now...
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
It works for me and I'm not rooted. That's kinda why I replied to your question. I try not to talk out of my ass lol
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
:) Your running it on a Note 7 too? Or, S7 like the thread it came out of? I've got the Note 7 on preorder and will be picking it up early Friday morning.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
S7 like the thread. I'm also waiting on my Note7 to come, but this method isn't really device specific. It doesn't use a menu or feature that's specific to the s7. It might not work on the note 7, but I think there's a pretty good chance that it does. :good:
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
Agreed with you there. Fingers crossed.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] tenorband:
Thank you, I'll be looking forward to your post.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] heathmcabee:
When you get your device, don't let them update it. Like many of us we can setup our phone ourselves. Set it up, take nothing further than what's on the phone and try the method I explained. When I got my edge, I said to just activate the device and hand me my phone. I played around with a note 7 at a best buy while they tried to figure out my sd card gift with a guy that was there. He's lucky I didn't have a phone at the time to take pics and guess that's why he didn't mind the black woman beside me use it that was ignorant to WHaT we do. His was running on am obvious beta, but I did look and I think I saw it was PEH

---------- Post added at 04:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 AM ----------

There's guy was a higher up Samsung rep
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
Well, I should be getting mine via FedEx on Friday, but you're right, I won't take any updates :svetius:

Heck, with any luck it'll be like the last time they shipped me a device. When they replaced my s7 Edge, it came w the Sprint firmware, but none of the Sprint apps. Essentially the PEH, but...not. That's probably once in a million, but I can dream lol
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] eyecon82:
Any new news on this?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
I've had ZERO luck. USB Tether is successful and appears to be faster than I remember. I'm continuing to try other methods as well and will update as I test things out.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
What have you tried?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
I tried the steps from the second post of this thread. I wasn't able to edit any of the LTE files that were found.

I tried browsing to the file location (Root is needed to access the location)

I tried the manual ##DATA# entered my MSL. I can see the APN settings screens, but the are greyed out and you cant edit them.

I've been tethering for quite a while using USB FoxFi and PDANET.

Have you had any luck?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] drtysouf21:
So you were atleast able to use FoxFi over usb and PDANET to get free wired tethering to work on the Note 7? If so can you point me in the direction on how to set that up in the meantime? Thanks ahead of time.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
I out and about. When i get home I'll type something up
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
I went through all the settings I could find but APNs were either greyed out or needed root to get to the settings. So bummer there. Might have to give the USB tethering a shot
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
Step by step on how to get USB tethering working with PC/Mac and Note7

1. Install PC/Mac pdaNET software. Choose whatever fits your need. http://pdanet.co/a/

2. pdaNET is part of FoxFi. Install FoxFi from the market. Do them a favor and purchase the app. It's money well spent. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foxfi&hl=en

3. Open FoxFi and select USB Tether. And give it a sec to activate.

3a. Confirm your device is connected via USB cable. (if I don't put this in, someone will say...You didn't say I had to connect it via USB)

4. Turn on the PC/Mac portion. On my MAC, I right click the pdaNET icon and choose Connect.

Thats it. You should have a connection. I test by putting the laptop or MAC in Airplane mode and surf the net. I'd be curious to see your connection speeds. Please post!!
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] tenorband:
Any luck on your end with the Note 7 hotspot?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] chrisschlagal:
Rebooting my Sprint Note 7 and turning it on right away works just like on the S7
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] tenorband:
I tried the methods that pit gpos frends gave us, based on the S7. Unfortunately the APN options are greyed out and not availavle to edit.

If anyone else finds a working Hotspot Mod or Fix, pleae please le us know! We do have wired tethering, but Hotspot fixes make things much much easier. Im willing to donate if we can get a working version.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] tony0691:
Thanks for the tip! I can confirm that this method does indeed still work.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
I verified as well. Restart, jump into settings and activate hotspot, success.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] dyra502:
Trying it now thanks guys
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] eyecon82:
is there a time limit that you have having the phone boot up and turning it on?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] urbanlink:
I love XDA! Thanks man! Worked for me.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] eyecon82:
it activates ,but only for a few minutes and then tells me i don't have the subscription!
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] tcas55:
Got my note 7 yesterday. I tried the shortcut master app. A search for lte did not bring up the expected results. I used my msl to try edit apns , the settings are visible but unselectable.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] heathmcabee:
So the quick boot method works without apn adjustment. If shortcut lite doesn't work and msl with edit apn editing is a no go, then there's the answer. Gotta get to it before it loads entirely
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] travisw0204:
I use the FoxFi-PDA Net combo for bluetooth tether and it works flawlessly for me.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] pdaddy:
pdaNET works with Bluetooth to my laptop also. Much slower speeds though. Usb 27 mb > Bluetooth 2.5 mb.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] jtfan:
Reboot and then quickly enable only works for me for 60 seconds or so. By the time I go to connect to it, it turns off due to no subscription.

People who are saying you are having success are you having long sustained success where it will stay on? If so, what are you doing differently?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
This method is really tricky. If it doesn't work straight off, just re-enable hotspot, and try again. If not the second time, reboot and try again. Good luck.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] CarolinaPride:
You must be SUPER QUICK for it to work. If not, you'll be kicked off hotspot in under a minute. I still do this on my Note 5, and connected to hotspot for however long I'm using it for without issues being turned off automatically.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
Mine didn't work on the first attempt, but I switched it back on and it's been working great for the last half hour or so.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hayabusa1300cc:
So all you're doing with a stock phone is reboot, then quickly enable hotspot?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] tony0691:
Yes. Once it reboots turn on hotspot, wait a couple of seconds after its on because sometimes it gives an error that it can't connect to network or something along those lines. When that error comes up just press ok right away and turn hotspot back on. It should stay on at that point.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
Thats correct. Sometimes you may need to do it twice. I've had hit and miss success using this method. I've placed a shortcut to FoxFi on my home screen. Unlock, 2 taps and hotspot is on....but the timing has to be perfect. Too fast, and FoxFi shuts down because it can't find mobile network. Too slow, phone realizes that hotspot is on and shuts it down.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] jtfan:
Alright cool I think I've got the hang of this.

Reboot. Unlock phone screen (I don't use security I just use swipe). Switching to swipe might help in this case as it provides fastest access. I immediately go into settings which I have a shortcut on home screen. Immediately go into connections and turn on native hotspot.

It fails within 10-20 seconds every time. IMMEDIATELY be ready to click off the error message in the middle of the screen and turn hotspot back on again. Then I get a little vibrate and it sticks ok and stays on.

Don't forget native hotspot has a short timeout by default but you can go into the settings and increase the timeout time.

I've repeated this 5 or 6 times with 100% success.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
Yep

<this
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hayabusa1300cc:
Alright this worked for me thanks!! Now I wonder if hotpot add-on will be on our bill if we continue ?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] DarkManX4lf:
That's what I'm waiting for you guys to report lol.

I don't think it will. You should be fine.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hayabusa1300cc:
Lmao nah goo ahead and do out since you know we'll be fine
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] franky_402:
So maybe im too fast but i cant get it to keep hotspot in no matter how many times i try. I have a shortcut set up to take me right to the toggle . Boot up and enable it..few seconds later tells me cant find data connection turning off hotspot. Re enable it super fast and it connected until abiut 30 seconds or so and then tells me im not subscribed :(
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
I always get the first part, but not that second part. Keep trying man, good luck. After you connect make sure you load a new page or refresh, something to actually use the hotspot. Maybe won't help, but it's worth a try.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
I get that too. Keep trying...this does work.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] youngcise31:
So is this working on the Note 7 Sprint variant?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
Yes.

I just tested and got it on my second try.

I have to have a PIN to log in...it's 8 digits long.

My process is, PIN, pulldown blind, tap settings button, then tap hotspot and tethering, then hotspot.

First try I always get data connection not found and HotSpot shuts down. Then i click it again. I just ran this again too.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] franky_402:
Well ive been trying for the past ten minutes. There must be something diff with my phone or something because im going as fast as the phone will let me yet no hotspot

Ive even taken off security, on top of adding shortcuts to jump me straight to the toggle. It just wont work for me and im getting pist lol
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] eyecon82:
Finally got it to work
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] ClevelandWheeler:
Quick boot method worked for me.... Don't they let that slide for long....lol
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] kingdruid:
Wait so what does this do exactly? I know there is already a USB tether option in the settings.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
... Enables hotspot.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] kingdruid:
Yeah thats why I was asking because I've been doing hotspot since I received my phone on Friday.

Settings --> HotSpot and tethering --> Check on Hotspot.

I'm just asking to see if this method you guys are doing is basically hotspot without Spring checking on you and killing your hotspot when you hit their limit.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
Ah okay, see there is a ton of people that don't have hotspot included in their plan. In this case, you normally will get that message "you are not subscribed blah blah" and this is how to get it to work.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] kingdruid:
Oh I got it, thanks. I was thinking this was a way to use the hotspot feature without sprint blocking your limit.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] l0td240z:
works for me with note 7 on sprint no root straight from box with build mmb29m.n930pvpu1apgc
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] kevinisback:
can anyone tell me what exactly you need to do on your sprint note 7? because I couldn't get it work. Thanks so much!
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
Look at post #48
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] MrEpad:
worked for me Thank you!! You guys are awesome!
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] kevinisback:
do dest that mean everytime I want to use hotspot I have to restart my phone? Thanks.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
Yup...or never turn it off lol
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] fogame:
Now that root has been achieved is it possible to enable this so we don't have to do this trick? Or would it be possible to edit our APN settings now?
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
I'll probably give it a shot later with editing APNs on rooted. Shouldn't be a problem.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] hotspace:
Yup, shouldn't be an issue on

rooted

device.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] dannieboiz:
I just tested the quick boot method and it works. For those that reported that it doesn't stay connected long enough you need to turn it back on again right away.

Here's my exact process and it seems to work everytime.

1. Disable WiFi (I think this is the key as it doesn't require the extra split second to disable it if you'r eat home)

2. Reboot

3.Jump quickly to the hotspot settings and turn it on (STAY THERE DON"T GO ANYWHERE)

4. Try to connect your laptop or tablet, but watch your hotspot screen. If it turns off and you get the authorization error, turn it back on immediately but don't try to reconnect your device yet give it maybe 20 seconds, when you feel that your hotspot is staying put try to reconnect again. My hotspot is on and has been active for the last 15 minutes without a problem. Hopefully this will help someone else. I almost gave up on the N7 to go back to the N4 because no hotspot.
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] franky_402:
Anyone here confirm if you can edit apns once rooted
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] eyecon82:
Easy tether pro supposedly works well too
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
http://xdaforums.com/sprint-note-7/how-to/root-super-leaky-bros-sprint-galaxy-t3447202/post68370536
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] franky_402:
Perfect..thanks for the link. Looks like ill be rooting tomorrow
[Sprint Note 7  Questions & Answers] themisterwilson:
It's a little tricky but just make sure you follow the instructions and you'll be set