just got a Tab S 10.5 Tmobile 4g - can I still upgrade to Marshmallow ?

[Jason Tyler]

I just bought a really nice, in clean condition Galaxy Tab S 10.5 16GB from Ebay. It has a bad ESN for Tmobile. Wasn't planning on using the 4G at all..but just doing a little research I realized that each model is different and has their own ROMs.

Can I upgrade to Android 6.0 even though I have a Tmobile version? I dont want to root...

 

[ratsttam]

Sure you certainly can (Just not yet). T-mobile hasn't released the MM update for the 10.5 as of yet. Once they do that, you can download the rom and flash it via Odin, and it should still via the normal OTA when that comes out (they don't need to be on the t-mobile network to get the OTA).

Keep an eye on here for when the rom drops. Firmware archive | Samsung Updates

The bigger question, is if the re-activation lock is setup, seeing that it was a bad esn, it can be sort of sketchy as far as the origins of the device. Try to do a factory reset sooner than later, and report the seller if can't be re-activated. If it can, than enjoy your t-mobile branded wifi tablet

 

[Jason Tyler]

Why does that matter? I don't plan on using the 4G at all.

I guess my question is, can I use the WiFI rom on this? or does it have to be tmobile specific? I dont forsee tmobile releasing the update at this point, considering it came out awhile ago for Verizon and everyone else.

Like I said, I have no plans on use the LTE. I just got the tablet on ebay because it was in good condition. THe LTE was irrelevant

 

[ratsttam]

That matters, since it's not tied to the fact that it has cell capability or not. You can get a wifi only tablet, and find out that activation lock is turned on, making it useless without the original login account information.

As far as using a different rom, no. From everything I've read, the bootloader is locked down. So it won't take an unsigned or improperly signed install. So really, until t-mobile gives their blessing on the MM builds for this, there isn't much you can do.

 

[Jason Tyler]

That matters, since it's not tied to the fact that it has cell capability or not. You can get a wifi only tablet, and find out that activation lock is turned on, making it useless without the original login account information.

As far as using a different rom, no. From everything I've read, the bootloader is locked down. So it won't take an unsigned or improperly signed install. So really, until t-mobile gives their blessing on the MM builds for this, there isn't much you can do.

Ok, so you're saying having a bad ESN will prevent me from using the tablet entirely? I don't get what you're saying? I'm only going to use WiFi, I dont care about the 4g

 

[ratsttam]

Ok, so you're saying having a bad ESN will prevent me from using the tablet entirely? I don't get what you're saying? I'm only going to use WiFi, I dont care about the 4g

Sorry, I didn't explain that very cleary did I. The bad ESN should be considered a red flag, nothing more. It most certainly won't work on cell (you know this already, obviously). However, you should consider making sure that the re-activation lock isn't active. In the case of doing a factory reset, it will ask you for the original account information. This is a part of the firmware that is meant to make stealing devices such as phones or tables less appealing, by preventing a stolen device from being wiped and setup under a new users information. You won't find this out until a factory reset is done. It's best to find this out while you still have recourse via e-bay and paypal. If the re-activation lock isn't active, than it will function as any other wifi tablet

Of course, probably not a bad idea to reset a device (new or used) after charging it up the first time.

 

[Jason Tyler]

I'm just going to return it. In my research now after the fact, the T-mobile version is the worse one to get. No development in rooted roms, and no official MM. Its a dead end. Wow..


Thanks for that information, I actually read up on in between posts and now understand what you originally meant. Thanks for explaining it. It was from a reputable seller on ebay and he said in the description "bad esn, still can use as wifi tablet" - so I assume the re-activation lock isn't active. Either way, he offers 30 day returns, so I'll be fine.

Thanks again..