Bootloader locked on SM-G730A

What are you trying to install? I think until someone figures out howto unlock the bootloader, you can only flash stock 4.2.2 or 4.4.2 via Odin.

Anything, bootloader is locked. I don't understand why it is, I'm hoping AT&T or Samsung responds with something more than @SamsungSupport on twitter said, which is "we don't know and won't help you"

My loyalty with AT&T and Samsung is on the line, I've gotten nowhere so far

I highly doubt they will help you unlock the bootloader. You might have better luck over at XDA Developers, but I don't know that they are working on this device, mainly the international S3 Mini.

There are root options if you'd like to customize the stock ROM...

Yeah that's what it seems, it's funny how my money went to an already-bricked device in my mind.

Guess it's ebay for this one

all phones you buy from att have a bootloader that is locked.  The only true unlockable phone on ATT is the htc one m7 and m8 thru HTCDEV.com.  There are workarounds for others out there.

There's no workaround for the SM-G730A

Ah, AT&T and Samsung's never-ending quest to make sure they've p1ssed off every single one of their customers at least once.

its a cheap phone so it does not suprise me that there is no work around.

unlocking the booloader only effects the 1% of people.

so why annoy the 1%? also there aren't any workarounds because the security on the device is very complex, not because of the price. there are more expensive phones that still don't have their bootloaders unlocked, so your point is moot. I guess it's worth it to Samsung.

a lot of people buy phones based on recommendations, and those recommendations usually come from technical people. the 1% of people end up controlling 5%, then 10%, and then you have an impact. I will never recommend another Samsung product ever again. I will never recommend a device that is "leased" even though you pay full price for it. I will never buy a car that only allows me to drive on certain roads.

coming from a device that allowed custom OSes and clean android is like tasting heaven and then being sent back to h ell. samsung software sucks, enjoy the BLOAT

ugh someone just close this thread.

ebaying the phone then writing it off as a lesson learned in manufacturer selection.

it'll be great when android is on version 5 and phone owners are prohibited from upgrading their paid-in-full devices.