Root Netflix work around? Is there a chance in hell this could work?

[Dsanders77]

Found this on Giz this morning. Wondering if I can get an opinion on this from one of the higher ups before I try it.

Explanation: Netflix officially realeased for 5 devices because those are the ones that the devs tested with. They knew there would be issues with untested devices (fcs, crashes, no video/sound, etc) so they coded the app to refuse to play on anything but the tested 5. All this hack does is circumvents that restriction by making the app think you are on one of the supported ones. There some devices which seem to work fine with the app but were never tested by the devs. Such devices as the nook color, the LG optimus S/V. These work perfectly after this while others still may have problems.
0) Root is required. Make a Nandroid backup! (I accidentally deleted by build.prop file and bootlooped my phone)
1) Download ES File Explorer (Or any other root file editor)
2) In ES File Explorer, go into Setting > Root Settings and enable both check boxes
3) Navigate to /system/ and copy/paste build.prop to /sdcard/ (just in case)
4) Open & edit /system/build.prop
5) Change the following lines to make your phone think it is a HTC G2:
ro.product.model=HTC Vision
ro.product.manufacturer=HTC
OR
ro.product.model=Nexus S
ro.product.manufacturer=samsung
6) Reboot the phone
7) Install the netflix apk (if you haven't already)
8) Enjoy
I tested this on my LG Optimus V running AOSPCMod v20110427 (Android 2.3.3). Before this, it told me that my device is not supported, now I'm watching 30 Rock episodes over 3G. I did not come up with this, I stole it from some posts on xda and compiled a nice step by step guide. I take no responsibility for screwing up your phone.
Good luck and Enjoy
EDIT: updated for less line changes
EDIT2: I guess this is kinda hit or miss, but it does seem like it is working on multiple people's Optimus V's and Nook Colors.
EDIT3: Added the Nexus S settings that worked better for some

 

[PlayfulGod]

yes I have read reports of it working.

 

[one80bysummer1]

Found this on Giz this morning. Wondering if I can get an opinion on this from one of the higher ups before I try it.

Explanation: Netflix officially realeased for 5 devices because those are the ones that the devs tested with. They knew there would be issues with untested devices (fcs, crashes, no video/sound, etc) so they coded the app to refuse to play on anything but the tested 5. All this hack does is circumvents that restriction by making the app think you are on one of the supported ones. There some devices which seem to work fine with the app but were never tested by the devs. Such devices as the nook color, the LG optimus S/V. These work perfectly after this while others still may have problems.
0) Root is required. Make a Nandroid backup! (I accidentally deleted by build.prop file and bootlooped my phone)
1) Download ES File Explorer (Or any other root file editor)
2) In ES File Explorer, go into Setting > Root Settings and enable both check boxes
3) Navigate to /system/ and copy/paste build.prop to /sdcard/ (just in case)
4) Open & edit /system/build.prop
5) Change the following lines to make your phone think it is a HTC G2:
ro.product.model=HTC Vision
ro.product.manufacturer=HTC
OR
ro.product.model=Nexus S
ro.product.manufacturer=samsung
6) Reboot the phone
7) Install the netflix apk (if you haven't already)
8) Enjoy
I tested this on my LG Optimus V running AOSPCMod v20110427 (Android 2.3.3). Before this, it told me that my device is not supported, now I'm watching 30 Rock episodes over 3G. I did not come up with this, I stole it from some posts on xda and compiled a nice step by step guide. I take no responsibility for screwing up your phone.
Good luck and Enjoy
EDIT: updated for less line changes
EDIT2: I guess this is kinda hit or miss, but it does seem like it is working on multiple people's Optimus V's and Nook Colors.
EDIT3: Added the Nexus S settings that worked better for some

Blast brought this to our attention at PPA. It was tested and confirmed to work for *some* ascends (thanks to daddyof3 for testing). The last comment was from this morning where someone said they released an update disabling this work around. I cannot confirm or deny, just tossing it out there.

 

[one80bysummer1]

But since its already been brought up...

It may sound obvious..but I'm guessing once complete the Market will also see your Ascend as a different phone?

 

[Dsanders77]

But since its already been brought up...

It may sound obvious..but I'm guessing once complete the Market will also see your Ascend as a different phone?

Testing now. Market can see the phone on CM7 and will allow dl. That much I can confirm.

Update: Nogo. I see that there is a short changelog stating "minor update", guess that would be the off switch for that. Going to restore backup, just to make sure there are no issues.

 

[one80bysummer1]

Testing now. Market can see the phone on CM7 and will allow dl. That much I can confirm.

Right on, let us know how it goes man. Good luck

 

[one80bysummer1]

Peoplegetpeople at PPA confirmed it still works, his Market still works and shows his downloads as well. He says 0-100 its about 75%..works great on WIFI but sometimes the audio gets clippy. This is pretty cool.

 

[Dsanders77]

Peoplegetpeople at PPA confirmed it still works, his Market still works and shows his downloads as well. He says 0-100 its about 75%..works great on WIFI but sometimes the audio gets clippy. This is pretty cool.

Might be a product of the whole "Not all Ascends are alike" issues. I treid the Nexus S convert, might try the HTC convert and see if that functions. PG, you tried this yet??

 

[Lennatron]

Hi,

I'm trying to edit the build.prop but I don't get how. When it says Open & Edit, what app is it supposed to be opened with and how do you save the changes?

Edit: I figured it out, nevermind.

Thanks,
Lenny

 

[one80bysummer1]

Might be a product of the whole "Not all Ascends are alike" issues. I treid the Nexus S convert, might try the HTC convert and see if that functions. PG, you tried this yet??

I dont know if its a trend or not, but it almost seems like the "lazier" ascends are *usually* the cricket ones...if that tells you anything. Hope you get it working

 

[isaacj87]

I downloaded the app, it told me my devices wasn't supported, I clicked okay and it took me to the login screen.

I don't have a name and password to test it out with and netflix always wants a card/paypal for the trial. I already had netflix. Don't care to have it now.

 

[Deej029]

I am d/ling the app as we speak. I do have an account with them so I will uopdate as soon as it is finished. (no probs d/ling btw.)

 

[pawdog]

Sorry wrong forum

 

[Dsanders77]

I dont know if its a trend or not, but it almost seems like the "lazier" ascends are *usually* the cricket ones...if that tells you anything. Hope you get it working

Thanks, but I'm a Cricket customer, so I'm used to disappointment.

 

[Lennatron]

I got it! Well kind of. It plays the audio but the video is a white screen. I changed the Build.prop to the Htc Vision and I'm gonna change it to the Nexus S to see if it makes a difference.

 

[one80bysummer1]

For those wondering, I can confirm it works also. I'm on Metro for what its worth. This is pretty awesome..

 

[Lennatron]

For those wondering, I can confirm it works also. I'm on Metro for what its worth. This is pretty awesome..

Cool. I need to try to get my video to play. Are you on build: 05122011 of CM7? Also did you change it to the HTC Vision or the Nexus S?

 

[Deej029]

Well. It installed fine. Did give me the same error msg as Isaac. (not supported blah blah blah) let me sign in but I cannot view anything. keeps popping up about phone not being supported. Oh well. Was worth a shot. guess I have one of the lazy ascends...lol

 

[Dsanders77]

Well. It installed fine. Did give me the same error msg as Isaac. (not supported blah blah blah) let me sign in but I cannot view anything. keeps popping up about phone not being supported. Oh well. Was worth a shot. guess I have one of the lazy ascends...lol

If anything knowing it works on the Ascend gives us some fuel to pressure Netflix for a full release on all platforms. Going to keep tinkering on this end, see what happens.

 

[BlackGravity]

changed the 2 lines,rebooted,and worked flawless

Ascend with CM6 (cricket)

thanks OP

 

[Deej029]

What did you do? THIS idiot would love it get it working too

 

[BlackGravity]

What did you do? THIS idiot would love it get it working too

1. Root is required. Make a Nandroid backup! (I accidentally deleted by build.prop file and bootlooped my phone)

2. Download ES File Explorer (Or any other root file editor)

3. In ES File Explorer, go into Setting > Root Settings and enable both check boxes

4. Navigate to /system/ and copy/paste build.prop to /sdcard/ (just in case)

5. Open & edit /system/build.prop

6. Change the following lines to make your phone think it is a HTC G2:

1. ro.product.model=HTC Vision
2. ro.product.brand=tmobile
3. ro.product.name=vision
4. ro.product.device=vision
5. ro.product.board=vision
6. ro.product.manufacturer=HTC

7. Reboot the phone

8. Install the netflix apk (if you haven’t already)

9. Enjoy

 

[Dsanders77]

changed the 2 lines,rebooted,and worked flawless

Ascend with CM6 (cricket)

thanks OP

Same here. Es File Manager is crap. Using Root Explorer, mount to R/W, then modify. I used the Nexus info. SAVE CHANGES, reboot and enjoy.

 

[Deej029]

1. Root is required. Make a Nandroid backup! (I accidentally deleted by build.prop file and bootlooped my phone)

2. Download ES File Explorer (Or any other root file editor)

3. In ES File Explorer, go into Setting > Root Settings and enable both check boxes

4. Navigate to /system/ and copy/paste build.prop to /sdcard/ (just in case)

5. Open & edit /system/build.prop

6. Change the following lines to make your phone think it is a HTC G2:

1. ro.product.model=HTC Vision
2. ro.product.brand=tmobile
3. ro.product.name=vision
4. ro.product.device=vision
5. ro.product.board=vision
6. ro.product.manufacturer=HTC

7. Reboot the phone

8. Install the netflix apk (if you haven’t already)

9. Enjoy

Ok. first...THANKS
second...I can now get everything to load, but when I try to watch, i get sound with no pic. Hmmm. help again (as usual)

Mine looks like this now:

ro.product.model=HTC Vision
ro.product.brand=huawei ---
ro.product.name=huawei_ascend ---
ro.product.device=ascend --- or do I need to cange these too?
ro.product.board=M860 ---
ro.product.cpu.abi=armeabi-v6j
ro.product.cpu.abi2=armeabi
ro.product.manufacturer=HTC

 

[Dsanders77]

Ok. first...THANKS
second...I can now get everything to load, but when I try to watch, i get sound with no pic. Hmmm. help again (as usual)

Mine looks like this now:

ro.product.model=HTC Vision
ro.product.brand=huawei ---
ro.product.name=huawei_ascend ---
ro.product.device=ascend --- or do I need to cange these too?
ro.product.board=M860 ---
ro.product.cpu.abi=armeabi-v6j
ro.product.cpu.abi2=armeabi
ro.product.manufacturer=HTC

Model and manufacturer did it for me. Try using the Nexus S / samsung settings. Seems to be working for more people.