Please help me to activate dual sim on Vodacom contract phone [Note10]

spydr97 said:

It's been a couple years since I've dabbled with this stuff so not sure if I will be much help (last I used Odin was for an S4) but I'll try my best.

Would it be possible to get a copy of the Odin log. There might be something in there that gives us an idea of why it's not behaving as expected.

One thing I need to clarify. When you say it works fine are you saying that you manage to boot into the new ROM once and then once you restart it, it reverts to the old firmware or does it wipe immediately after you leave download mode without the ROM booting up completely?

Also make sure you're flashing all of the files that you download from the SamMobile site. (AP, BL, CP and CSC_). It feels like it might be the original stock bootloader that isn't being replaced and that is what is erasing the device. In theory the symptoms are what would happen on certain Android devices if you relock the bootloader.

P.S. I would recommend having a look at XDA Forums. It was my go to place for Android assistance of this nature when I was into rooting, Custom ROMs etc etc etc. You'll definitely get better answers there.

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Ninja_Theory said:

Hi guys, hoping someone can help.

I recently picked up a Samsung Note 10 on contract from Vodacom. I want to activate dual sim, which means I need to flash a different firmware. When I flash a new firmware via Odin, it works fine and then on reboot a message appears briefly "Erasing" and then it reboots into the OG Vodacom branded firmware again.

Any idea how I can get this phone to work with dual sim?

Things I made sure of when I flashed it:

1. My Note 10 model is SM-N970F, and I check that the CSC of the new (unbranded) firmware is the same
2. Firmware I flashed: Samsung Note 10 XFA (the other options are XFE and Vodafone XFV) here is the link
3. I removed my Google & Samsung account to remove the firmware protection (allow new firmware to be flashed)
4. Odin flashed fine, I did install the Samsung USB drivers beforehand

Thanks for reading this and (even more) thanks if you can help a fellow Carbie out.

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maq_ said:

I think you need a physical dual sim

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Ninja_Theory said:

Thanks. Yep I may get back on XDA, I used to live there many years ago. About the flash, it seems to be fine because once flashed the progress bar in Odin changes green and says everything is hundreds. Then on clicking restart, it shows the Samsung boot screen and then immediately changes to the "Erasing" message. All Odin fields are correctly loaded ie AP, BL, CSC etc.

I wonder if it could be because I selected the CSC that keeps my apps and data? The firmware comes with 2 options for CSC, the other option wipes apps and data.

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Ninja_Theory said:

What do you mean "physical dual sim"? The Note 10 that I have is dual sim, it has the physical dual slim slot.

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PancakesZA said:

From Vodacom? Are you sure about that bud.
Vodacom doesn't do dual sim devices. I just checked through my stock sheet and we've not received a single dual sim device from them. Can't even order a dual sim device from them. Really weird.

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Ninja_Theory said:

The sim slot has 2 slots. What is the second slot for then.. microsd?

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spydr97 said:

I don't think it could be anything to do with the /data partition. It's usually separate from the /system partition which is where the OS loads from. Provided that the ROMs are based of the same sources (both Original Samsung) it should still work. However, if you have the opportunity to try a clean install it might be worth a shot; just seems unlikely since it will only clear the files in that /data partition, effectively a factory reset after the firmware is flashed. My money is on a kernel level block on new firmware.

If you're not opposed to a little warranty voiding, any chance of loading a custom recovery (is TWRP still a thing) and going that route? A custom ROM (if available) might also solve your issue.

I'm unfortunately running out of options on my end 😅🙁

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Ninja_Theory said:

The sim slot has 2 slots. What is the second slot for then.. microsd?

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Cookie said:

Yes

Vodacom does not sell dual sim phones. The box must have 2 IMEI numbers on it to be dual sim.

Had the same problem so I sold my contract phone and got another form dubai which is dual sim

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Ninja_Theory said:

What do you mean "physical dual sim"? The Note 10 that I have is dual sim, it has the physical dual slim slot.

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maq_ said:

Ok

It means it should have 2 slots for 2 sim cards. Yours probably only has 1

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Ninja_Theory said:

Hi guys, hoping someone can help.

I recently picked up a Samsung Note 10 on contract from Vodacom. I want to activate dual sim, which means I need to flash a different firmware.SNIP

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Ebrahim Ali said:

Hi there bud. I wouldnt bother with this. Vodacoms devices have the hardware for dual SIM yes and you may even get it working, BUT there is only one IMEI number. Your seccond SIM will show up in the phone but will be functionally unusable.

Regarding your flashing woes, did you disable forced encryption?

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PancakesZA said:

From Vodacom? Are you sure about that bud.
Vodacom doesn't do dual sim devices. I just checked through my stock sheet and we've not received a single dual sim device from them. Can't even order a dual sim device from them. Really weird.

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Greekking said:

I saw contracts at incredible connection for Sansui and energize dual sim phones on Vodacom contracts..( I think it was vodacom as it said choose Topup 175 which I know to be Vodacom)

Can you confirm if that is true ?

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

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Greekking said:

So they are 100% vodacom contracts and state dual sim ... it won't be e-sim

So my guess would be physical dual sim ... which means 2 x IMEI or false advertising

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

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nagapie said:

I might pop out to incredible corruptions later today. Ill ask if dual sim. I know incredible had a xiaomi phone which said 6 gigs ram on their paper adverts but online it said 4 gigs. So my guess it could be a typo from incredible regarding the dual sim but that energizer should be dual sim.

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Greekking said:

Depends on model we get locally as well, remember some phones are Octa core or dual quad cores with various ram setups and GPUs

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Greekking said:

GSM arena says other wise , 2 CPU and 2 GPU models depending if you are China or Europe :/

Samsung Galaxy Note8 - Full phone specifications

www.gsmarena.com

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PancakesZA said:

@Greekking They might come with the physical tray but they won't have 2x imei numbers.

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Greekking said:

The ones on contract I sent are dual sim. 2 x IMEI ...

I know most other phone shave dual tray. Like my S7e and my Note 8 but one is sim and the other is micro SD. You cannot put 2 x some because the pins are different on the one and only read micron SD cards

As long as the OP is sorted we are all good.

@Ninja_Theory you can close the thread if you are sorted.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

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