S8 Direct from Samsung- Insert sim hard reset carrier bloatware auto install

[aj187]

Hello,

I'm aware that the s8 hard resets and carrier locks the first time you insert a sim but was unaware that the device I purchased direct from Samsung also installs all the carrier bloatware as part of this process.

Is this normal? I was under the impression that purchasing direct from Samsung would prevent bloatware from being installed, and just sim lock the device upon sim insertion which you can unlock later (samsung provides unlock codes).

 

[pankaj981]

If you purchased a carrier variant device from Samsung then it'll come with all the carrier specific bloatware embedded in the firmware.

 

[aj187]

Samsungs website only provides one version of the phone, there are no "carrier variant" versions of it.

 

[bandofbrothers2112]

Hi,

As far as I'm aware....

The phones bought Direct from Samsung that are Factory Unlocked just Activate when you insert your SIM card. They do not Factory Reset. That's something you'd need to manually perform. Some do this on new phones to remove any remnant of the testing in the Manufacturing plant.

These variants of phones do not lock out to the first SIM card inserted.

Bloatware i.e. Carrier App's shouldn't download unless you actively download one. Such as a Network App to check tariff allowances etc.

I buy my phones Direct from Samsung Factory Unlocked at full retail cost.

I'm in the Uk.

 

[aj187]

I'm a bit surprised you state that since this clearly happend to me and some others:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71995893&postcount=10

I also did a support chat with samsung and they stated that bloatware and sim lock will occur the first time you insert a sim in your device even though you bought direct from Samsung.

The purpose of this thread was to confirm that others had the same experience as I was hoping i somehow got the wrong phone.

 

[bhatech]

Samsungs website only provides one version of the phone, there are no "carrier variant" versions of it.

Are you in the US? There is no special version that Samsung is selling. In the US there is one hardware model but with different firmwares based on the carriers. Currently samsung.com in the US when you buy the phone you need to select the carrier and based on what you select you get that variant. For example, selecting T-Mobile on Samsung.com is equivalent to buying from T-Mobile and will be sim locked to T-Mobile. If you want SIM unlocked, select Verizon version since that version is required to be sim unlocked by FCC but you will get Verizon firmware which is the best in business along with AT&T firmware(/s).

If you want SIM unlocked without any carrier bloatware in the US you got to wait some more time since Samsung said it's coming soon but at this point not available for sale.

 

[aj187]

Thanks for the great details. I'm in Canada.

I'm so surprised a phone bought direct from the manufacturer installs bloatware, I can understand sim locking once the sim is inserted since you can just unlock the phone after but installing bloat when you paid full price for a device does not sit well with me.

Thanks for the details.

 

[Ecm]

I bought my S8+ directly from the Samsung Store as well, unlocked. Popped in my Rogers sim card. No bloatware added at all.

 

[Wizzy]

I bought my S8+ from Samsung Canada. I used it for months on a non-canadian carrier with no bloatware whatsoever. I put in a Rogers SIM and immediatel0y the phone does a complete wipe without even a prompt and installs Rogers bloatware. I contacted Samsung and they said there is no way to erase them. I am very pissed as the phone is directly from Samsung and it should be carrier free. Anybody know a way to get rid of these apps?

 

[bandofbrothers2112]

I bought my S8+ from Samsung Canada. I used it for months on a non-canadian carrier with no bloatware whatsoever. I put in a Rogers SIM and immediatel0y the phone does a complete wipe without even a prompt and installs Rogers bloatware. I contacted Samsung and they said there is no way to erase them. I am very pissed as the phone is directly from Samsung and it should be carrier free. Anybody know a way to get rid of these apps?

It seems some of this is then controlled by the sim card being inserted prompting this stuff being sent by the network.

I'm in the UK and purchased a sim free s8 and haven't had any unwanted bloatware sent.

There are options to remove things not wanted such as using package disabler but be careful on what is changed as not to affect other settings within the phone.

 

[jamezr]

I have the unlocked model from Best Buy model SM-G955U1 with a T-Mobile sim card. It hasn't downloaded any carrier bloatware at all. All it did was update the carrier network settings and thats all.

 

[wunderbar]

I think this is a Canada specific thing. Happened to me. I bought it unlocked, and actually set everything up on the phone before I popped my SIM in, and as soon as I did it factory reset and after it did the bell apps were on the phone.

Now, I was pissed about the phone resetting, but less annoyed about the bell apps, as there were only 3, and I regularly have 2 of them installed anyway. But there was no indication at all that that was a thing that would happen.

 

[Wizzy]

Found a solution on the XDA forums. You only have to enter a code to reset your phone and it will restart as unbranded. It will restart again as branded if you insert a Canadian SIM but not a big deal for me as I don't live there anymore.

"You can change the csc to the unlocked variant xac, Dial *#243203855# in the*dialer. But this will wipe your*device."

https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/help/force-hard-reset-sim-insert-t3591230/post71995893