Help with Switching Carriers, Staying Protected

[LaughinBones]

I just received a new AT&T SIM card for my Verizon Note 7, but want to make sure I'm protected for the switch. I have been running Package Disabler Pro to block the updates, but now it won't let me in the app for some reason. I'm assuming it's still been working in the background, though, since I haven't received any updates. Still, I can't get in there to change anything, so I feel a switch in protection methods is also in order.

What do I need to do before sticking the AT&T SIM card in here? Is merely putting the SIM card in going to update the phone?

Thanks for your time, this place is great.

[ElKabong]

People have said that the package disablers continue to work even tho you can't log into them anymore because Samsung pulled all of their licenses.

Assuming that your phone is unlocked and you can switch carriers by just changing sim cards, then it shouldn't be any different than your last carrier, who was presumably sending the same forced update and your disabler was blocking it.

But the only way to be sure you are protected is to install Shield v2. If you look around on here, you will find the tutorials on how to do that.

[LaughinBones]

I'm worried if I switch disabler methods before switching carriers, I'll be protecting my phone from Verizon updates instead of AT&T's (it's been mentioned they're different). Then as soon as that phone sees an AT&T card, AT&T is going to push update their OTA and I'll be screwed...

[LaughinBones]

*to push their OTA update

[LaughinBones]

Also, Solid Explorer looks a little easier to install. Is that the case? Is there any difference?

[beowulf381]

Also, Solid Explorer looks a little easier to install. Is that the case? Is there any difference?

For Shield v2 vs. Solid Explorer read this topic:

https://note7alliance.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2392

[LaughinBones]

Also, Solid Explorer looks a little easier to install. Is that the case? Is there any difference?

For Shield v2 vs. Solid Explorer read this topic:

https://note7alliance.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2392

Oh thanks for that. Seems like the Shield is a better option for me as it will automatically find which ones I need to block, regardless of carrier. Only thing I'm still confused about is the extra "Verizon + AT&T Only" section below the first set of instructions. Do I need to do both the first set of instructions and this second one, or just choose one?

[LaughinBones]

I want to do the first set of instructions, but it says not to do it if I have a package disabler that is currently protecting my phone. The problem is, once I switch to my AT&T SIM card, the package disabler will be useless since I can't get in it to change to block the AT&T packages.

I just need to know what order to do all this in, SIM switch and all.

Thanks!!

[LaughinBones]

I have the Shield v2 downloaded. I'm thinking doing things in this order, tell me if I'm wrong.

1. Pull out Verizon SIM, turn off WiFi and mobile data
2. Uninstall Package Disabler
3. Install Shield v2
4. Put in AT&T SIM

Does this sound right? Or does the AT&T SIM need to be in there before the Shield is installed?

[beowulf381]

I have the Shield v2 downloaded. I'm thinking doing things in this order, tell me if I'm wrong.

1. Pull out Verizon SIM, turn off WiFi and mobile data
2. Uninstall Package Disabler
3. Install Shield v2
4. Put in AT&T SIM

Does this sound right? Or does the AT&T SIM need to be in there before the Shield is installed?

Best solution would be to leave the simcard out until the shield is activated.
Install the shield, then enable WIFI for the short moment to login and activate. When the shield is up, like shown in the video, you can put the simcard in.

[LaughinBones]

I have the Shield v2 downloaded. I'm thinking doing things in this order, tell me if I'm wrong.

1. Pull out Verizon SIM, turn off WiFi and mobile data
2. Uninstall Package Disabler
3. Install Shield v2
4. Put in AT&T SIM

Does this sound right? Or does the AT&T SIM need to be in there before the Shield is installed?

Best solution would be to leave the simcard out until the shield is activated.
Install the shield, then enable WIFI for the short moment to login and activate. When the shield is up, like shown in the video, you can put the simcard in.

Fabulous, thanks!

So I don't need the second set of instructions labelled "Verizon + AT&T ONLY"?

Also, will the Shield know to protect against AT&T even though the phone never been on AT&T? When I put in the new AT&T SIM the Shield will be ready for it?

You're a huge help, thanks a million.

[beowulf381]

I have the Shield v2 downloaded. I'm thinking doing things in this order, tell me if I'm wrong.

1. Pull out Verizon SIM, turn off WiFi and mobile data
2. Uninstall Package Disabler
3. Install Shield v2
4. Put in AT&T SIM

Does this sound right? Or does the AT&T SIM need to be in there before the Shield is installed?

Best solution would be to leave the simcard out until the shield is activated.
Install the shield, then enable WIFI for the short moment to login and activate. When the shield is up, like shown in the video, you can put the simcard in.

Fabulous, thanks!

So I don't need the second set of instructions labelled "Verizon + AT&T ONLY"?

Also, will the Shield know to protect against AT&T even though the phone never been on AT&T? When I put in the new AT&T SIM the Shield will be ready for it?

You're a huge help, thanks a million.

The instructions "Verizon + AT&T ONLY" describe a different method for protection, only available for those carriers models. You could use them instead, but not together. It's not recommended to do both, as they can interfere each other.

The shield will autodetect the update packages installed on your phone (Samsungs packages and carrier specific ones). So if you have a VZW model it detects Samsungs and VZWs packages and renders them useless. If you put AT&T simcard in, the phone remains to be a VZW model. You won't get any AT&T packages, unless you're flashing an AT&T firmware or install AT&T packages explicitely.

[LaughinBones]

Best solution would be to leave the simcard out until the shield is activated.
Install the shield, then enable WIFI for the short moment to login and activate. When the shield is up, like shown in the video, you can put the simcard in.

Fabulous, thanks!

So I don't need the second set of instructions labelled "Verizon + AT&T ONLY"?

Also, will the Shield know to protect against AT&T even though the phone never been on AT&T? When I put in the new AT&T SIM the Shield will be ready for it?

You're a huge help, thanks a million.

The instructions "Verizon + AT&T ONLY" describe a different method for protection, only available for those carriers models. You could use them instead, but not together. It's not recommended to do both, as they can interfere each other.

The shield will autodetect the update packages installed on your phone (Samsungs packages and carrier specific ones). So if you have a VZW model it detects Samsungs and VZWs packages and renders them useless. If you put AT&T simcard in, the phone remains to be a VZW model. You won't get any AT&T packages, unless you're flashing an AT&T firmware or install AT&T packages explicitely.

PERFECT!!! Thanks! I'll report back on my results!

[LaughinBones]

I want to clear something up real quick before I do this because I'm afraid I haven't explained properly.

Even though I'm joining the AT&T network, since I have a phone that was originally VZW, AT&T can never send me OTA updates? Is that what you're saying?

I'm joining the AT&T network officially, not just trying to put someone's SIM card in it.

[beowulf381]

I want to clear something up real quick before I do this because I'm afraid I haven't explained properly.

Even though I'm joining the AT&T network, since I have a phone that was originally VZW, AT&T can never send me OTA updates? Is that what you're saying?

I'm joining the AT&T network officially, not just trying to put someone's SIM card in it.

They can send you OTA updates, but only using the "official" Samsung update packages, which are blocked by the Shield. VZW update packages you have are blocked too (but AT&T won't use them at all). AT&T packages you don't have, unless you explictely flash an AT&T firmware or explicitely install AT&T's packages. This won't happen by simply being an AT&T customer and put their simcard in.