So I went into bootloader (hold down trackball while starting up phone) to explore the options in nexus bootloader. One option that caught my eye was SIMLOCK. Needless to say I stayed far away and made sure to not even highlight that option (lol).
Why would the put an option to LOCK your phone?? (im assuming once you SIMLOCK you cant unlock so easily, otherwise it would defeat the purpose of a simlock)
Not sure about the simlock on the bootloader, but the app "WaveSecure" offers a similar function if you're interested in using it without fear of messing anything up. With their simlock it basically locks the phone down with an error screen if someone replaces your sim. Pretty nice security app.
The option does nothing without correct SIM emulator.
It's a standard option on HTC engineering bootloaders.
Related
i have the unlock code from att but i was like "nah i don't need the instruction emailed to me...youtube bro" little did i know...is there a way to do it without a non carrier sim?
I don't think...
zetsui said:
i have the unlock code from att but i was like "nah i don't need the instruction emailed to me...youtube bro" little did i know...is there a way to do it without a non carrier sim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just by coincidence I've been researching around lately to unlock my Motorola Bravo phone so that I can use it on any network I wish. I have already "rooted" it, which I remember was quite easy (I think what most people complain about is the amount of time it can take and the number of steps that can be involved), but, as you most likely know, rooting and unlocking are completely separate, independent functions on the phone. I searched Google, a bunch of message boards like this one here (this has always been my favorite...lots of extremely intelligent people), even some torrent files, but despite hours of searching, I unfortunately couldn't find any way to unlock the phone without just paying for the code. Yes, you can get it free from your carrier, but my account has been cancelled for months and I no longer have that option. Luckily paying for the code is very cheap and should cost you less dollars than the number of digits on your hands...if not keep looking b/c you're getting ripped off.
Theoretically, that is if my theory of how the phone functions is correct, there should be a way. I mean, if unlocking is done purely through software, there's gotta be a way to crack that part of the software and trick the phone into thinking the correct unlock code has been entered. I know the whole IMEI number to unlock code generation process uses an encrypted algorithm to work, so I don't know how difficult or impossible that would be, but that's one way I can think of doing it. Another way I thought of that seems like it should work, although I haven't heard anyone that has done this specifically say that it also unlocked their phone, is to totally wipe the phone and reflash it with a generic/unbranded version of Android. Would either of these options work anyone?
You might, MIGHT, be able to use the Defy Soft Sim Unlock, but its for a different baseband than what we use (not in /system/etc/motorola, but in /dev/block/mmcblk1p14 -- actual radio partition). I attempted to flash the Defy radio.img, but I ended up having to flash the sbf so don't flash the baseband zip on that page. Go to Defy General and go to the Stickied Wiki or Beginner's Guide and it'll have all the info you need on this.
'
While I'm hopeful for you, I doubt it will work but its worth trying. You can also try motofan.ru and see if they can provide an unlock code for your Bravo (its free). Its a 50\50 chance that they can or can't.
Your only other option is forking over the $$$ and buying the code. Don't try to randomly guess it -- you only have 10 tries and once you use them all you're (possibly) screwed.
I don't know if anyone is going to believe this. I decided to test Android Device Manager's lock feature. Worked fine on my tablet. Did not work right on my phone. Now I am locked out of my phone. It would not accept the PIN I selected. I tried sending different PINs and it won't accept any of them! When I change the "message," it does change but the PIN doesn't work.
1) Is there any way to fix this???
2) If not, ugh, if I send an ERASE command, will I be able to get back into the phone?
Help!!
Thanks!
Paul
(I don't know how to prove this isn't a stolen phone - I have full access to it via Device Manager in my google account)
Talked to AT&T. I was screwed. FYI for anyone else... The Android Device Manager Lock may not work right on the AT&T Galaxy S4.
The entire point of locking a phone through ADM is to render it useless for anyone that has stolen it or "found and tried to use it" if it was lost. It's not intended as a tool to be used day to day or for any other reason than loss or theft. As such, I don't see why there would be a need to re-activate the phone after locking it through ADM.
However, if it simply won't let you unlock the lock screen, why not use ODIN to re-flash the firmware and start fresh with an unlocked lock screen?
scott14719 said:
The entire point of locking a phone through ADM is to render it useless for anyone that has stolen it or "found and tried to use it" if it was lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have posted more details. Actually, you can factory reset the phone and it comes out of it fine, albeit factory reset. It doesn't make the phone useless. It just protects the data on your phone with the standard PIN lock screen. It's certainly no kill switch.
To add more info to this - it literally changes the lock screen setting to PIN lock. So, for example, on my tablet, I had a pattern lock. Even after I unlocked it with the ADM PIN I sent, the next time it locked, it was the same PIN lock. I had to go back and change it to the pattern lock.
This is unlike the 3rd party solutions I have used in the past (e.g. Lookout, AVG) which overlay their own lock onto the phone one time only. Once you unlock through their PIN system, the device reverts to whatever locking method you had been using (or none).
This is just what I learned from the experience. Maybe people knew this but it was interesting to me.
PaulQ602 said:
I should have posted more details. Actually, you can factory reset the phone and it comes out of it fine, albeit factory reset. It doesn't make the phone useless. It just protects the data on your phone with the standard PIN lock screen. It's certainly no kill switch.
To add more info to this - it literally changes the lock screen setting to PIN lock. So, for example, on my tablet, I had a pattern lock. Even after I unlocked it with the ADM PIN I sent, the next time it locked, it was the same PIN lock. I had to go back and change it to the pattern lock.
This is unlike the 3rd party solutions I have used in the past (e.g. Lookout, AVG) which overlay their own lock onto the phone one time only. Once you unlock through their PIN system, the device reverts to whatever locking method you had been using (or none).
This is just what I learned from the experience. Maybe people knew this but it was interesting to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the additional info. It's nice to know how it works or is supposed to work. Starting mid-2014, all cell phones sold in the US will be required to have a "kill switch" available. I wonder if it will operate in the same way. I guess time will tell. Again, thanks for the info.
I do wish people who don't read a persons message properly and are not informed on the subject wouldn't waste every ones time posting their drivel aye Scott!
You like so many others state the obvious, I did like your post Paul and thank you for taking the time to post
I have had issues with ADM and have found the application about as useful as Scott's drivel
I just got my prime edition and when I was setting it up I enabled the developer options from the settings. And there is a option for "OEM unlocking" and the description is "Allow the bootloader to be unlocked". Has anybody seen this before? And could it actually allow the device to be rooted? I'll try exploring this more tomorrow but I was wondering if anybody has tried this before I get my hopes up.
There have been phones with the OEM Unlocking option before which can't really be unlocked. This option doesn't mean the device can be unlocked unfortunately.
It cannot be unlocked. I ended up selling my Prime G4 Play the day after I got it and buying the regular flavored edition instead.
MaanasDwivedi said:
There have been phones with the OEM Unlocking option before which can't really be unlocked. This option doesn't mean the device can be unlocked unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So now I'm curious, what does that option do? Does it toggle the lock/unlock on phones that can unlock the bootloader and just do nothing when it can't be unlocked (as in our case)? Or does it do something else entirely?
BellaMay95 said:
So now I'm curious, what does that option do? Does it toggle the lock/unlock on phones that can unlock the bootloader and just do nothing when it can't be unlocked (as in our case)? Or does it do something else entirely?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely sure about this, but I think in non unlockable devices there is something else that is done to prevent unlocking. The option does what it does on other phones, but what it does is not enough to unlock the phone in this case. If they could make the option useless they might as well remove it. So, I think there are more governing factors besides this option which tell if the device can be unlocked or not.
Who already got permanant unlocked guys, Can you let me know "Device Unlock" app icon dispaying on the App drawer after Factory reset.
I known that Device unlock icon should be gone(Exactly Disabled in App manager) and first permanent unlocked success, Device unlock app gone(As Disabled). Do factory reset then still Device unlock app gone(Disabled) in the App drawer? If keep permanent unlock and run device unlock app, what kind of message dispaying in the Device unlock app? Can you capture and share to here?
Also have you ever been network relocked symptom? I had Tmobole note5 and it suddenly network relocked. Reason is mystery. One day I just eject the sim then insert the sim. Thats it.
Who same experinced guys, how can you resolve this relock problem?
Pulverizer said:
Who already got permanant unlocked guys, Can you let me know "Device Unlock" app icon dispaying on the App drawer after Factory reset.
I known that Device unlock icon should be gone(Exactly Disabled in App manager) and first permanent unlocked success, Device unlock app gone(As Disabled). Do factory reset then still Device unlock app gone(Disabled) in the App drawer? If keep permanent unlock and run device unlock app, what kind of message dispaying in the Device unlock app? Can you capture and share to here?
Also have you ever been network relocked symptom? I had Tmobole note5 and it suddenly network relocked. Reason is mystery. One day I just eject the sim then insert the sim. Thats it.
Who same experinced guys, how can you resolve this relock problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you contact T-Mobile about this issue?
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
nktwister said:
Did you contact T-Mobile about this issue?
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Actually i asked at least 10 times or over about this re-lock problem.
But no luck. They said that network relocked meaning is just network locking problem and this Note5 IMEI indicate outstanding balance or financing.
T-mobile REP. said device contract & financing problem only resolve account owner. But this account owner(ebay seller) cant't reach now. Because I bought this item one year ago.
Yeah, I was using this T-mobile Note5 unlocked status about one year. But after one year and one day, it suddenly relocked. Still i can't believe why my Note5 re-locked.
The important thing is previous owner(ebay seller) now can't reach out. May he is busy or he no longer login to ebay.
At least i don't have to request T-mobile unlock officially. Because i am not real owner of this Note5 device.
So i found 3rd party unlock service, but recently t-mobile device unlock app service price is increased to $130. Its too high cost for unlocking.
I am very confusing how can i resolve this network relock problem.
Think of it, when i first reviced this unlocked T-mobile note5 from ebay buyer, Device unlock app exists on app drawer.
(Refer the Attachment #1 image)
So, when i executed the Device unlock app, message indicate as below.
(Refer the Attachment #2 image)
Code:
Unlock failed
Unlock approved : Mobile device is permanently unlocked.
I think above unlock fail message is wrong and above message keep since network relocked.
So.. Have you tried a different carrier sim on it to confirm if it's locked or not? If you're using only T-Mobile, why are you worried about device unlock app?
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
nktwister said:
So.. Have you tried a different carrier sim on it to confirm if it's locked or not? If you're using only T-Mobile, why are you worried about device unlock app?
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, Actually I am living at South Korea, So everytime korean SIM insert into this device and still locked as attached screenshot.
I hope to verify this "Device unlock" app's concept for verify my Note5 relock problem.
As I already said my Note5 device unlock app keep displaying at App drawer since permanent unlocked.
I think that is incorrect symptom and hope to know this T-mobile unlock concept
Code:
https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-14011
If you completed a Permanent Unlock, the applications disappear from the device app list.
verified or changed on Galaxy S7 edge(G935T) model.
Really curious point is When permanent unlocked, Device unlock app disappear /disabled from App drawer even though after Factory reset.
I'm not sure if it was factory unlocked by T-Mobile or if it was unlocked by 3rd party and sold on ebay.. my opinion is that several people have unlocked by T-Mobile and they have installed G935U Rom so it doesn't lock itself.. your best bet might be T-Mobile support with details of your usage or 3rd party unlock..
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
nktwister said:
I'm not sure if it was factory unlocked by T-Mobile or if it was unlocked by 3rd party and sold on ebay.. my opinion is that several people have unlocked by T-Mobile and they have installed G935U Rom so it doesn't lock itself.. your best bet might be T-Mobile support with details of your usage or 3rd party unlock..
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks your detail explanation and good advice.
Regarding official T-mobile response, they said as follows.
Code:
That being said, it's definitely important to know that if it's a T-Mobile Note 5 and you try to use a different carrier's SIM card in it, it may not work unless the device is SIM unlocked to accept service from another carrier. Even more important to note is that the device will ALWAYS be tied to the original owner. This means even if it has a clean IMEI now, if something happens down the road (it's not fully paid off yet, and the original owner stops making payments on it, or if they report it as lost/stolen to insurance, or if they simply reach out to us and request to block the IMEI), this can change that status at any time. There is no way to prevent this, and if it does happen, the only way to get it unblocked is for the original owner to reach out to take care of whatever the issue is. Does this all make sense? I want to be sure, so you don't run into an issue where you buy a phone that you someday cannot use! Let me know what questions you have!
In short, T-mobile device always tied to original user if device have finaning, only original user can resolve this problem, not second buyer like me(ebay buyer)
Yeah, I think remain key is only 3rd party unlock solution. But 3rd party unlock solution price is now too expensive. About $130
Hope to 3rd party unlock price go down nearby $50.
To. ALL
My main question is still not resolve. Can you let me know following my question if you have permanent unlocked G935T model?
Can you let me know "Device Unlock" app icon dispaying on the App drawer after Factory reset.
I known that Device unlock icon should be gone(Exactly Disabled in App manager) and first permanent unlocked success, Device unlock app gone(As Disabled). Do factory reset then still Device unlock app gone(Disabled) in the App drawer? After factory reset, If keep permanent unlock and run device unlock app, what kind of message displaying in the Device unlock app? Can you capture and share to here?
Pulverizer said:
Thanks your detail explanation and good advice.
Regarding official T-mobile response, they said as follows.
Code:
That being said, it's definitely important to know that if it's a T-Mobile Note 5 and you try to use a different carrier's SIM card in it, it may not work unless the device is SIM unlocked to accept service from another carrier. Even more important to note is that the device will ALWAYS be tied to the original owner. This means even if it has a clean IMEI now, if something happens down the road (it's not fully paid off yet, and the original owner stops making payments on it, or if they report it as lost/stolen to insurance, or if they simply reach out to us and request to block the IMEI), this can change that status at any time. There is no way to prevent this, and if it does happen, the only way to get it unblocked is for the original owner to reach out to take care of whatever the issue is. Does this all make sense? I want to be sure, so you don't run into an issue where you buy a phone that you someday cannot use! Let me know what questions you have!
In short, T-mobile device always tied to original user if device have finaning, only original user can resolve this problem, not second buyer like me(ebay buyer)
Yeah, I think remain key is only 3rd party unlock solution. But 3rd party unlock solution price is now too expensive. About $130
Hope to 3rd party unlock price go down nearby $50.
To. ALL
My main question is still not resolve. Can you let me know following my question if you have permanent unlocked G935T model?
Can you let me know "Device Unlock" app icon dispaying on the App drawer after Factory reset.
I known that Device unlock icon should be gone(Exactly Disabled in App manager) and first permanent unlocked success, Device unlock app gone(As Disabled). Do factory reset then still Device unlock app gone(Disabled) in the App drawer? After factory reset, If keep permanent unlock and run device unlock app, what kind of message displaying in the Device unlock app? Can you capture and share to here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You checked if your imei is blacklisted?
Maximoalba291 said:
You checked if your imei is blacklisted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, At least not blacklisted.
Yesterday I found another solution and resolved this problem.
My conclusion is it's double fault both Samsung and T-Mobile. It meaning first unlock not processed perfectly and it would have been cause relock problem.
Detail things of this provlem will update soon with timeline and evidences.
My GS7 recently re-locked as well after trying the G930U ROM. It was unlocked via the app after 40 days of service, and worked fine on AT&T for a little while. I recently went back to the G930T ROM and the device unlock app showed back up. It now throws the same error - "Unlock Failed: Mobile Device is Permanently Unlocked". Device is not blacklisted, and I no longer have an AT&T sim to try.
I called T-mobile to request a temp unlock because I'm going to Singapore (here now). They of course approved it and instructed me to use the unlock app, temp unlock, when it's getting closer to departure day since it's a 30 day unlock. So right before leaving, I decided for the fun of it to press permanent unlock and bam it unlocks it and the app disappears. Am I permanently unlocked? I'm tempted to mess around with this thing... bootloader unlocked first of course.
tripey said:
I called T-mobile to request a temp unlock because I'm going to Singapore (here now). They of course approved it and instructed me to use the unlock app, temp unlock, when it's getting closer to departure day since it's a 30 day unlock. So right before leaving, I decided for the fun of it to press permanent unlock and bam it unlocks it and the app disappears. Am I permanently unlocked? I'm tempted to mess around with this thing... bootloader unlocked first of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The standard process is that the unlock app gets disabled and no longer works after a permanent unlock. The best option would be to check developer options and see if OEM unlock is grayed out. If it isn't, then you are one lucky person and are permanently unlocked.
Yeah OEM Unlock is not greyed out!
Yeah this has been a thing, people have requested temps and hit permanent unlock, which basically unlocks it permanently.