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[Verizon] Google Wallet Guide: Avoid Secure Element Brick [Updated 5/25/13]

ymDroid said:
Can I get a clear answer on this....

I have not used GW since I rooted because i was afraid of bricking GW/secure element.

So if set up GW, and I dirty flash the new version of a ROM, do I have to wipe GW everytime?


I understand wiping if I'm clean/wiping data on the phone for a ROM.

But do I really have to do this everytime I upgrade my ROM to the newest version, i.e. Xenon v9 ---> dirty flash Xenon v10?


Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have dirty flashed many times without clearing all the data/resetting GWallet.

I just updated yesterday to the newer version of GWallet, so I haven't had the chance to dirty flash anything since installing it.
 
Play store says the newest version of wallet isn't compatible with my device. Even with market enabler. I had to flash the newest version. Then I flashed a new ROM, forgot to flash wallet. So I restored app + data with tibu. No problems.
I barely use wallet, so if I brick the secure element, it won't be that big of a hassle.
The times the I used wallet, I think it would've been quicker to just reach in my pocket, pull out my actual wallet, and swipe my actual card
 
I just changed roms today and have always been able to install wallet by going to my all list for my apps in the play store, and today I'm greeted with a Not Compatible message. I'm not pleased to say the least.
 
jhawkkw said:
I just changed roms today and have always been able to install wallet by going to my all list for my apps in the play store, and today I'm greeted with a Not Compatible message. I'm not pleased to say the least.
Click to expand...

I've never been able to install Wallet from the Play Store. I installed it once via the .apk linked above and then you can back it up and restore via TiBu.
 
ok latest update does not work for JB sourcery any one able to get it running by side loading? I need to use my google card soon.
 
OK. Call me paranoid, call me a worrywart, call me whatever you like, but I just got through getting another GN that the secure element is not bricked in, rebuilt the phone's apps, folders and settings from scratch, and I DON'T want to go through that again! I got Google Wallet V. 1.79 up and running with JB Sourcery 2.3, have made 2 Nandroids of the phone as it sits right now, have backed up all my user apps through Titanium Backup as they sit right now, and have backed up my Apex Launcher. If I want to flash something new (and odds are that I will 'cause I'm hopelessly addicted to this), I want to make sure that I dont f-up the secure element. Please help with the following questions:

1. Does Wallet need to be reset for ANY flash, or just for ones involving any wiping?
2. Do I have to remove all my payment cards before I reset Google Wallet?
3. Do I have to back up the Wallet app through Titanium after I reset it?
4. If the secure element bricks (oh, God help me if it does!), what is the best way to recover it through restoring backups - Nandroid or Titanium? If I restore a nandroid, do I have to restore the apps with Titanium?

You may have guessed by now that I'm really scared that I'm going to screw this up again. It's so bad that there's a post-it on the back of my phone reminding me to reset the damn Wallet app. Curse you, Google! HELP!

BTW, where's that damn Isis program I was promised by Big Red?
 
Also, does it make any difference if your phone is rooted when you use it for payment? I've been reading some things out there saying the NFC chip gets messed up if it detects an unlocked bootloader. Sounds like BS, but I'm not in the mood to take anything to chance right now.
 
I don't want to steer you down the wrong path but I don't think its an issue anymore. I never reset wallet, I've installed newer versions over the top of each other and I haven't heard of any NFC bricks since the early days of this phone. I think Google eliminated the potential with newer app versions. That's all I can gather from following the issue anyway.
 
joesixpack said:
1. Does Wallet need to be reset for ANY flash, or just for ones involving any wiping?
2. Do I have to remove all my payment cards before I reset Google Wallet?
3. Do I have to back up the Wallet app through Titanium after I reset it?
4. If the secure element bricks (oh, God help me if it does!), what is the best way to recover it through restoring backups - Nandroid or Titanium? If I restore a nandroid, do I have to restore the apps with Titanium?
Click to expand...

I take the most conservative approach possible when dealing with Wallet, mainly because I just hate dealing with Verizon and would rather go through a bunch of extra steps before dealing with them getting me a new phone. Here's what I do:

1. Reset (from within Wallet's settings) and clear app data (from withing Android App Settings) before any clean wipe.
2. Remove all payment cards before you reset Wallet before a flash.
3. Run TiBu batch app backup after you reset Wallet, right before you reboot into recovery to start your wiping and flashing.
4. Not sure, never bricked Secure Element.

I realize most of this is probably overkill, but like I said, I'd rather spend the extra 2 minutes than deal with bricking and dealing with the hassle of getting a new phone.
 
NSutherl said:
I take the most conservative approach possible when dealing with Wallet, mainly because I just hate dealing with Verizon and would rather go through a bunch of extra steps before dealing with them getting me a new phone. Here's what I do:

1. Reset (from within Wallet's settings) and clear app data (from withing Android App Settings) before any clean wipe.
2. Remove all payment cards before you reset Wallet before a flash.
3. Run TiBu batch app backup after you reset Wallet, right before you reboot into recovery to start your wiping and flashing.
4. Not sure, never bricked Secure Element.

I realize most of this is probably overkill, but like I said, I'd rather spend the extra 2 minutes than deal with bricking and dealing with the hassle of getting a new phone.
Click to expand...

joesixpack,

The steps above are those that I follow each time I flash. Call me paranoid. However, as some users have pointed out, since the removal of the prepaid card (which hasn't yet been officially dropped), secure element bricking risk seems to have gone down. I no longer have cash sitting in my Google Prepaid Card, so I have removed it from the equation. I caution anyone still using it to continue to follow the steps outlined in the OP to ensure your risk of bricking the secure element is minimal. That said, I still follow the steps outlined in the OP.

BTW, I merged your thread into my sticky so that you could see the history behind this issue. Hope you don't mind.

Regards,

jmar
 
What can we do about this now that the newer version is out. The previous version I had was working fine and now I am getting an error saying This version of the Google Wallet app is no longer supported.
 
I flash CM10 nightlies, well, almost daily. I dirty flash most of the time, once in a while I'll do a clean wipe. I have always restored Wallet via sideloading the apk for the newest version. When I log in, everything is fine. I use it at least once a week, sometimes I don't feel like explaining what I just did so I'll pull my card out.
 
jmartino5920 said:
Hey Y'all!

My guide to Google Wallet: Simple and fail-safe...here goes!

BACKGROUND

I have been unlocked and rooted since December 27, 2011.

I have been using Google Wallet since December 27, 2011.

I have employed this method since December 27, 2011.

Other than Google's shutdown of the app when security issues disabled the app, I haven't had a single issue with Google Wallet.

GUIDE

Install Google Wallet (Credit goes to The Android Source and Google, of course): http://dl.atftas.us/APKs/Wallet/Google_Wallet_v1.1-R57v5.apk

Use Wallet.

When prepping for a ROM flash/factory reset first reset GWallet from within the app. Do this by entering your PIN, then Payment Cards. Choose your card. Now tap the overflow menu button and choose REMOVE CARD. If you have multiple cards you will have to rinse and repeat.

Now back out of Payment Card and tap menu overflow. Choose Settings and select Reset Google Wallet.

Next, Navigate to Settings app--->Apps--->All--->Wallet: Wipe Data: for extra security.

Now, backup Google Wallet app using Titanium Backup (buy this app; best tool for all app backups). Because this app requires root, you will have to find an alternative if you are not rooted. You could also just sideload the app as you did the first time you downloaded it.

Wipe data, et al/Factory Reset.

Restore/sideload app (DO NOT restore data!)

Setup Google Wallet from scratch.

Profit.

jmar

P.S. If I made any errors, please let me know ASAP!

Ultimately, I take no responsibility for a Secure Element Error and am only trying to help my fellow Wallet users.

Hope I helped.

Contributions to this guide from: NSutherl, jova33, efApple, AndroidDad75, and AntimonyER.

THANKS Y'ALL!
Click to expand...

I just got an Asurian replacement VZW GNex. My wallet no longer works. It gets stuck at Setting up wallet, this could take up to 5 minutes. Any help would be appreciated.
 
twinsdad said:
I just got an Asurian replacement VZW GNex. My wallet no longer works. It gets stuck at Setting up wallet, this could take up to 5 minutes. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

twins,

Sorry I took a long time responding to your question.

Here is what I can offer: It sounds to me that with your previous Nexus, Wallet worked. You received a retirement and now the app doesn't work.

I have two theories.

1) You received a device replacement which had a bricked secure element which went overlooked in the Quality Check done by Verizon when the device was sent in by its previous owner.

2) Something is funky on Google's end and at the time(s) you attempted to login, it failed.

What can you do about this issue if it still is one?

Request another replacement. Do so by honest means. What I mean by this is to find a legitimate flaw with the device as there surely must be one flaw with it besides the one you're facing. Then try Wallet with the new device. See if you get the same result.

Let me know how it goes.

jmar
 
Here is my dilemma. My nexus 7 is stuck on the google X during reboot. Scanning the web it seems I have 2 choices, one do a factory reset or send it back to google. I prefer to fix it myself because it will be much faster. But by doing the factory reset I am going to brick Wallet. And since I can't reboot I can unregister it from the device right?
 
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