Hi, I recently bought a Samsung S4 from AT&T (sgh-i337) with 2 years contract and I wanted to know if I can unlock the sim carrier lock to use it outside the US, Im going to Italy for 3 weeks and I want to buy a sim over there since At&t's international plans are expensive, if its possible to unlock it wil I have any problems with at&t? I heard they usually block the phone.
stewe95 said:
Hi, I recently bought a Samsung S4 from AT&T (sgh-i337) with 2 years contract and I wanted to know if I can unlock the sim carrier lock to use it outside the US, Im going to Italy for 3 weeks and I want to buy a sim over there since At&t's international plans are expensive, if its possible to unlock it wil I have any problems with at&t? I heard they usually block the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this method:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431
or this method if the first one didn't work
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41580940&postcount=18
if both don't work use ebay, you'll find plenty of sellers that unlock the device for as low as $3.00. I got mine unlocked on ebay and i'm using it on a overseas LTE network with no problems whatsoever.
Hope this helps
For a better visual guide see this
http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-sim-unlock-samsung-galaxy-s4-gt-i9505-for-free/
stewe95 said:
Hi, I recently bought a Samsung S4 from AT&T (sgh-i337) with 2 years contract and I wanted to know if I can unlock the sim carrier lock to use it outside the US, Im going to Italy for 3 weeks and I want to buy a sim over there since At&t's international plans are expensive, if its possible to unlock it wil I have any problems with at&t? I heard they usually block the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call AT&T and tell them you are going out of country. Sometimes they will give you an unlock code. Sometimes you have to try a couple of times (call and talk to different people). Sometimes they won't give you a code. If you try the "hidden menu" unlock, be careful, it can mess your phone up...read through the thread completely.
Best thing to do, if AT&T doesn't give you a code is to try one of the online sites such as cellunlocker.net.
Good luck.
scott14719 said:
Call AT&T and tell them you are going out of country. Sometimes they will give you an unlock code. Sometimes you have to try a couple of times (call and talk to different people). Sometimes they won't give you a code. If you try the "hidden menu" unlock, be careful, it can mess your phone up...read through the thread completely.
Best thing to do, if AT&T doesn't give you a code is to try one of the online sites such as cellunlocker.net.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm all right Im going to try with the hidden menu method, but they won't block my sim (at&t), the phone or anything like that because of the 2 years contract?
stewe95 said:
Hmm all right Im going to try with the hidden menu method, but they won't block my sim (at&t), the phone or anything like that because of the 2 years contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have no way to know if the phone is sim locked or not. They don't even car if you turn it off or use it on another carrier. As long as you pay your bill and are not abusing unlimited data (if you have it) - they leave you alone. They just want the monthly fee for 2 years.
I recently called ATT and was told that I would have to wait 90 days before they could give me unlock code. I didn't try again but have read about people being successful at getting code from ATT.
stewe95 said:
Hmm all right Im going to try with the hidden menu method, but they won't block my sim (at&t), the phone or anything like that because of the 2 years contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck. The "Hidden menu" unlock has worked for many. However, if it doesn't work for you or if it screws your phone up in some way please do not make another thread about it. Several threads already exist that you can get information from others that tried it and screwed their phones up...just search for them. Of course, it won't do you any good because I haven't seen people find away to undo the damage (unable to unlock at all, worse reception, etc...). Hopefully, you won't need to search for them.
I used the hidden menu tutorial and can tell you it works perfect if you follow the direction right. I tested it with a t mobile sim and it worked also tried a European Vodafone and worked because I'm also going to Europe for 5 weeks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
milicigoran said:
I used the hidden menu tutorial and can tell you it works perfect if you follow the direction right. I tested it with a t mobile sim and it worked also tried a European Vodafone and worked because I'm also going to Europe for 5 weeks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked perfect for you but it doesn't work for everyone. Telling people it WILL work for them if they follow the directions right is misleading and dangerous. How do you know it WILL work for him? It is well known that people have followed the directions right and it did not work. It is also known that people have messed their phones up using the method. Can you guarantee that the "Golden backup" on his phone eliminates the network locks? How do you know the "Golden backup" on his phone won't lock his ability to use a sim-unlock code for ever...or worse?
Maybe it will work for him (it has for many), maybe it will not, but it IS HIS RISK and there are no guarantees, It is arrogant to suggest something will work for everyone just because it worked for you. Especially when it has been documented time and time again that it does not always work regardless of the directions followed. Are you are saying that everyone it didn't work for didn't follow the directions right?
Related
As the topic says
whiteyaksa said:
As the topic says
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It's been discussed may times on here. We won't get the unlock until the Verizon version comes out. It has been unlocked, but for the sake of a quick OTA to patch the phones, the dev is waiting for the VWZ version to be released.
flucks said:
Yes. It's been discussed may times on here. We won't get the unlock until the Verizon version comes out. It has been unlocked, but for the sake of a quick OTA to patch the phones, the dev is waiting for the VWZ version to be released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He might be referring to cellular unlock. So he can use the phone on other carriers
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
geoldr said:
He might be referring to cellular unlock. So he can use the phone on other carriers
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's been discussed also. Doesn't look like AT&T is unlocking these devices yet. You could always pay ~$35 to a third party provider for unlock if you needed it now.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
If bought outright they will, see picture.
I unlocked my S4 yesterday...24.99...cellunlocker dot net. Had the code in 8 minutes.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
i unlocked galaxy s4 from safeunlockcode.com/samsung/unlock-galaxy-s-4 , its easy to use, i think.
whiteyaksa said:
As the topic says
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just search on ebay. there bunch of them. i got mine unlocked for $13. good deal i guess. they will ask you for IMEI and about few hours later they will send you the code.
reddevilboyz said:
just search on ebay. there bunch of them. i got mine unlocked for $13. good deal i guess. they will ask you for IMEI and about few hours later they will send you the code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone doesnt ask for a unlock code, After i inserted a GSM SIM card of a different country (India), it allowed to phone turned on.
It did not ask anything else... However when i selected global Network Mode, It did not let me search available network operators. The option to search the network operator after switching to Global network mode was not available.
I wonder why! I am not sure even if i purchase a unlock code, where do i enter it?
There is a free alternative for unlocking just by accessing dialer code. Found a thread around here at some point.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
I tried unlock-code-world and they never could generate the unlock code. They did however refund my money. I guess you could always try a more expensive website but I'm not sure what their results will be. I did however get my galaxy s for unlocked through AT&T customer service. I looked on the international data coverage maps and found a tourist location that would be a reasonable vacation spot for Americans but also did not have great coverage through AT&T international. I've been told them I was going on vacation you need to leave the country for about a month I said so that if I use their international plans my charges would be outrageous therefore it would not be smart to use a high price international plan for so long I've been brought up the fact about unlocking my phone to use a local SIM card in this area.because I had good payment history and was with the company for least a year the on lock my phone gave me on lock codes for all 3 of my lines all 3 galaxy phones. It will be a case by case basis they determined based on payment history like the service this situation you're about to embark on.I was on the phone about 30 minutes put on a good show discussed international plans various options I couldn't let them decide to unlock it not really force the issue of them unlock it for megive it a try care for hundred percent free
After fighting with AT&T on the phone for almost a month due to (in my opinion) unfair policy changes, I got them to provide me with unlock codes for my and my wife's phones. I want to make use of them asap and put this matter to rest. Unfortunately, the AT&T instructions say to use the codes i have to insert a non-AT&T sim card to force the phone to prompt me for code entry. At this time I do not have a non-AT&T sim. Is there any way to get to the unlock pin screen without having a "foreign" sim card on hand?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Also, does having this unlock code mean I am unlocking the bootloader or is this *just* a sim unlock?
I am considering experimenting with the 'nightly' for CM 10.2. I have CM 10.2 on a Note 8.0 and CM 9 on an original Galaxy Tab 7" already and i like it a lot.
Thanks again.
Won't touch the boot loader at all. That'll just be a Sim unlock.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
You'll need a foreign gsm SIM card. And your bootloader stays locked. One has nothing to do with the other
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Or you could just go into the menu and unlock it yourself without a code
travispittman said:
Or you could just go into the menu and unlock it yourself without a code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One downside to that is if you mess up, good luck fixing it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
HiTideBlastoise said:
One downside to that is if you mess up, good luck fixing it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Research it. Then research it some more. Research it until you are comfortable doing it yourself. Don't let someone bully and say you might mess up your phone. You could mess up your phone by dropping it in your sink among other things. But doing this is quite simple. Follow the steps here is even a youtube video to do it. If you have any questions ask away. Some ppl are jerks and say it was answered somewhere else you should of found it elsewhere. When all posts inevitably get buried under mounds and mounds of new posts. Remember you only fail if you stop trying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCl9ysOoT4
Free SIM
You could also head to t-mobile site and get a free SIM, I think they still are giving them away, not sure. I was able to get two free SIMs 5 days ago.
t-mobile free sim-card
travispittman said:
Research it. Then research it some more. Research it until you are comfortable doing it yourself. Don't let someone bully and say you might mess up your phone. You could mess up your phone by dropping it in your sink among other things. But doing this is quite simple. Follow the steps here is even a youtube video to do it. If you have any questions ask away. Some ppl are jerks and say it was answered somewhere else you should of found it elsewhere. When all posts inevitably get buried under mounds and mounds of new posts. Remember you only fail if you stop trying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCl9ysOoT4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this guy ^^^ isn't going to fix your phone for you if it does screw up. The "free" unlock method works for some and does not for others. I completely agree with the research until your eyes fall out part, but, in this, case, it still might not help you. So, basically, if you try the "free' unlock method it might work, it might not, and it might mess your phone up. Unfortunately, you won't know until you try. I would just go to your local mall or T-mobile store and get a cheap pre-paid sim card that you can use in your and your wife's phone. Don't listen to people that think something will work for everyone just because it worked for them, especially when it is proven to not be the case. Good luck.
I walked into a tmo store and sled if they had an activated micro Sim so I could test my phones unlock status. I told them I was thinking of switching, but needed to verify if my s4 was unlocked (I used the service menu method).
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
esmith13 said:
After fighting with AT&T on the phone for almost a month due to (in my opinion) unfair policy changes, I got them to provide me with unlock codes for my and my wife's phones. I want to make use of them asap and put this matter to rest. Unfortunately, the AT&T instructions say to use the codes i have to insert a non-AT&T sim card to force the phone to prompt me for code entry. At this time I do not have a non-AT&T sim. Is there any way to get to the unlock pin screen without having a "foreign" sim card on hand?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind sharing how you got them to unlock your phone, I have been trying for a while now without any success.
When I had my old smartphone, I called att and told them I'd be visiting my sister in London, and that I'd want to use prepaid SIM cards, as it would be cheaper than international rates. They had no problem unlocking it (galaxy s).
Sent from my TARDIS
0p3nsrc said:
When I had my old smartphone, I called att and told them I'd be visiting my sister in London, and that I'd want to use prepaid SIM cards, as it would be cheaper than international rates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^ This. Has yet to fail me.
Lol it doesn't "mess up" your phone. *sigh* stop scaring the kiddies
5T4Y FR05TY
Usually no prompt means the phone isn't actually locked. There's a ton of instances when a network simply missed a handset and failed to lock it. For anyone I'd say test your phone first. Make sure it is locked before going through the process of unlocking it.
Also, this works on a number of older Samsung's, not too sure if it'll work on newer models, but you can type a command that targets the network lock, which is #0111*code# - you simply replace "code" with the code AT&T or anyone else gives you and it should unlock the phone. Someone might be able to confirm this as possible or not for the newer Samsung's?
I tried the traveling story. That does not work anymore. CS, including supervisor refused.
I have a AT&T Galaxy S4 SGH-i337 on MF3 and Region Lock Away unlocked the Region & SIM. I tested it with a T-Mobile SIM. The OP of Region Lock DOES NOT CLAIM it will work with the SGH-i337 but I have unlocked a S3(SGH-i747) a S4(SGH-i337) and a Galaxy TAB 2 (SGH-i497) it was worth the few bucks.
Region Lock Away
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
IceTwig said:
I have a AT&T Galaxy S4 SGH-i337 on MF3 and Region Lock Away unlocked the Region & SIM. I tested it with a T-Mobile SIM. The OP of Region Lock DOES NOT CLAIM it will work with the SGH-i337 but I have unlocked a S3(SGH-i747) a S4(SGH-i337) and a Galaxy TAB 2 (SGH-i497) it was worth the few bucks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can also verify that this works with the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 i337 on MF3.
Mod Edit
As long as you are using Straight Talk "AT&T" nothing needs to be unlocked. You are still on AT&T, but just using a high-lag MNVO.
WHICH carrier is your Straight Talk SIM card using? Straight Talk resells service from all four major carriers.
If you're using Straight Talk "T-Mobile", then you've got a problem.
maxgibson said:
I have already pre-ordered Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ for me and my wife, will get it on 29th April. The both phones are from AT&T and I want to ask. Can I unlock them same day for Straight Talk carrier usage? I have a plan with straight talk with a cheap calls so I want to switch to them at the same day. found this this service where S8 already supported for sim unlocking. have somebody used this service before ? just want to be sure before making order there
Mod Edit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably dont need a pay service or any service at all to sim unlock it. AT&T has a website to unlock phones if they meet the criteria you just enter the info and they unlock it if you qualify.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/
Should have bought a Verizon model in that case since they come sim unlocked.
They unlock it only if you do not owe any money of the phone
954wrecker said:
You probably dont need a pay service or any service at all to sim unlock it. AT&T has a website to unlock phones if they meet the criteria you just enter the info and they unlock it if you qualify.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just a quick experience share. I've tried the service from the first post (Mod Edit). my s8+ was locked with a highest level of encryption (hard locked) by carrier, so delivery time was around 12 hours. price was 26 $ ( 13 $ first charge + 13 $ pending amount for hard locked phone). unlock code worked well from the first try and phone is unlocked now (switched from t-mobile to vodafone because they have better mobile data speed). thanks for the link. cheers
eldar4uk said:
just a quick experience share. I've tried the service from the first post (Mod Edit). my s8+ was locked with a highest level of encryption (hard locked) by carrier, so delivery time was around 12 hours. price was 26 $ ( 13 $ first charge + 13 $ pending amount for hard locked phone). unlock code worked well from the first try and phone is unlocked now (switched from t-mobile to vodafone because they have better mobile data speed). thanks for the link. cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you just say t-mobile? They use their own device unlock app right? I wonder how you were able to unlock t-mobile Samsung Galaxy S8.
suyash1629 said:
Did you just say t-mobile? They use their own device unlock app right? I wonder how you were able to unlock t-mobile Samsung Galaxy S8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's using T-Mobile Europe, not T-Mobile USA. Did you not see the Vodafone reference?
ChazzMatt said:
He's using T-Mobile Europe, not T-Mobile USA. Did you not see the Vodafone reference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like I skipped that part
suyash1629 said:
Looks like I skipped that part
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deutsche Telekom is the parent company of T-Mobile and that brand is used in some European countries, besides the U.S. At one point, 13 countries had "T-Mobile".
maxgibson said:
I have already pre-ordered Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ for me and my wife, will get it on 29th April. The both phones are from AT&T and I want to ask. Can I unlock them same day for Straight Talk carrier usage? I have a plan with straight talk with a cheap calls so I want to switch to them at the same day. found this this service where S8 already supported for sim unlocking. have somebody used this service before ? just want to be sure before making order there
Mod Edit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This really sucks for me. I contacted them before ordering sim Unlock for T-Mobile USA. They said since all the services are down for T-Mobile through the official app they are doing it differently where I will have to use an app made by them to enter the unlock code. Everything was fine until today when I got email from them with unlock code and Network Unlock app. I followed there instruction but their app does nothing. its useless, its like a dummy app.
App says "Connecting to server..." while it doesn't even have internet access permission. I checked by disabling the wifi and mobile data, it was still functional (as expected because it had no internet excess) it prompted me to enter unlock code but it does nothing except for saying Permanently Unlocked it literally does nothing else after entering the code. Later on I tried entering wrong codes as well and it would still say Permanently Unlocked. I have sent them multiple emails and messages but no reply yet.
I am guess the unlock code they provided might be correct but there is no way to enter it on phone since it is T-Mobile variant and only Device Unlock App can enter the unlock code.
I bought a ATT version on day one of release and paid full retail at Best buy. Figured I can unlock via their site. Nope, in fact the IMEI # wasn't coming up at all. Kept saying it was not in the system. I called ATT but they couldn't help so I returned it and bought the Verizon version and works fine on Tmo via MintSim. Only bad thing is I have to use desktop software to update since it's not on the Verizon network.
Mod Editis having a 2 day sale 30% off for $13 (vs $19). How can you tell if your phone is "hard locked"?
eldar4uk said:
just a quick experience share. I've tried the service from the first post (samsungsimunlock.com). my s8+ was locked with a highest level of encryption (hard locked) by carrier, so delivery time was around 12 hours. price was 26 $ ( 13 $ first charge + 13 $ pending amount for hard locked phone). unlock code worked well from the first try and phone is unlocked now (switched from t-mobile to vodafone because they have better mobile data speed). thanks for the link. cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
annulation said:
Mod Edit is having a 2 day sale 30% off for $13 (vs $19). How can you tell if your phone is "hard locked"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what they told me as well that New Samsung phones are Hard Locked
gqukyo said:
I bought a ATT version on day one of release and paid full retail at Best buy. Figured I can unlock via their site. Nope, in fact the IMEI # wasn't coming up at all. Kept saying it was not in the system. I called ATT but they couldn't help so I returned it and bought the Verizon version and works fine on Tmo via MintSim. Only bad thing is I have to use desktop software to update since it's not on the Verizon network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming the VZW version is sim unlocked out of the box?
Correct, all their LTE phones are unlocked but they may not have the bands required for whichever provider one is looking to use it on. The S8 has the most bands that I read of the US releases though
Only cost £10 on eBay for a unlock code
I tried androidsimunlock.net who are my usual go to guys and they couldn't do it. So I paid at samsungsimunlock but haven't heard anything back yet. It's been over 12 hours, I've even emailed to follow up but heard nothing.
Anyone else used these guys successfully?
suyash1629 said:
Did you just say t-mobile? They use their own device unlock app right? I wonder how you were able to unlock t-mobile Samsung Galaxy S8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, my phone is from t-mobile. do you mean pre-installed t-mobile device unlock app? I have tried to unlock my phone using that app too but with no success. every time I hit the unlock button the phone just displayed an error.
samsungsimunlock com provided Network Unlock app and after I've completed all steps from the step by step guide it said "your device is permanently unlocked". I've rebooted the phone with my vodafone sim card and the phone accepted it. also I have tried orange and three carrier sim cards, they all are worked well also. 4g/LTE is working well too :victory:
eldar4uk said:
yes, my phone is from t-mobile. do you mean pre-installed t-mobile device unlock app? I have tried to unlock my phone using that app too but with no success. every time I hit the unlock button the phone just displayed an error.
samsungsimunlock com provided Network Unlock app and after I've completed all steps from the step by step guide it said "your device is permanently unlocked". I've rebooted the phone with my vodafone sim card and the phone accepted it. also I have tried orange and three carrier sim cards, they all are worked well also. 4g/LTE is working well too :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed their steps too but no luck yet. I have no idea why it does not work for me. After I was frustrated I decided crack down their app a little bit. It doesn't have any phone permission, I am guessing it cant put Unlock Code for the phone and the other thing is I tried some random numbers and it still said Permanently Unlocked.
Do you need to have the app installed all the time or is it fine to remove afterwards?
Is there any way I can sim unlock this phone without At&t? I got this phone as a birthday gift from my dad (who got it second hand from a friend) but when I try to unlock it for use with Sprint (I flashed the international ROM) I get something about not being able to unlock because the finances haven't been paid. Is there any way I can get past this? Or any way I can connect to Sprint either way? Or am I stuck with a bricked phone?
Have you tried a 3rd party unlocking service through Google or ebay? I think XDA maintained a list at one point...no idea if they still do.
You can try on a service like [URMod Edit
But, note that even if you unlock it, you will not be able to use it with a Sprint card because att devices are GSM whereas Sprint is a CDMA one.
GSM phones can be unlocked and switch carriers, whereas CDMA carriers use network-based white lists to verify their subscribers. That means you can only switch CDMA phones with your carrier’s permission.
RossTeagan said:
You can try on a service like https://www.unlockunit.com/
But, note that even if you unlock it, you will not be able to use it with a Sprint card because att devices are GSM whereas Sprint is a CDMA one.
GSM phones can be unlocked and switch carriers, whereas CDMA carriers use network-based white lists to verify their subscribers. That means you can only switch CDMA phones with your carrier’s permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But are there any free services? I can pay but I mean it would be more convenient to have it done free
savagevegeta said:
But are there any free services? I can pay but I mean it would be more convenient to have it done free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's always more convenient to have it for free. I would take that anytime! But I am not sure you can find any free services. And if you find any, they might be limited in their ability to unlock it.
The only free way I can imagine a free method is to try to 'hack' your device. But you must be tech savvy and know what your doing.
RossTeagan said:
It's always more convenient to have it for free. I would take that anytime! But I am not sure you can find any free services. And if you find any, they might be limited in their ability to unlock it.
The only free way I can imagine a free method is to try to 'hack' your device. But you must be tech savvy and know what your doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm not willing to mess with this otherwise perfectly good S7! Do you know any cheaper yet functional services? I wouldn't want to throw the last bit of cash at scammers
savagevegeta said:
Yeah, I'm not willing to mess with this otherwise perfectly good S7! Do you know any cheaper yet functional services? I wouldn't want to throw the last bit of cash at scammers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hacking and playing with its software or OS is an option. Not the best one tho :laugh:
You can try on a service like the one I mentioned above. give it a try
RossTeagan said:
hacking and playing with its software or OS is an option. Not the best one tho :laugh:
You can try on a service like the one I mentioned above. give it a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe, but that service is 30 dollars. 30. For a phone my dad spent around 400 dollars for, I doubt he'd lend me the money for the service if it's 30... I'll search for one that's around 20 or 10, maybe a physical unlock service so I'm sure. Now, tell me more about playing with the OS. Do you think I can unlock it like that?
I don't know of any free ways to sim unlock.
savagevegeta said:
Now, tell me more about playing with the OS. Do you think I can unlock it like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't get into technical details. But if you start playing with the OS without knowing what you're doing, you risk making your device unusable.
So, regardless of what unlocking service or repair service you use, make sure they are pros.
There's no free services other that having att unlock it themselves. And Att will only do it if your out of contract and fully paid up on you bill.
I recently just unlocked my att s7 a couple days ago using "Android Sim Unlock" for only 18.90. That was the cheapest i found and got my unlock code the next day(even though they said it can take up to 5 business days)
Worked perfectly. Im not using my att s7 with a tmobile sim card.
Phillyrider807 said:
There's no free services other that having att unlock it themselves. And Att will only do it if your out of contract and fully paid up on you bill.
I recently just unlocked my att s7 a couple days ago using "Android Sim Unlock" for only 18.90. That was the cheapest i found and got my unlock code the next day(even though they said it can take up to 5 business days)
Worked perfectly. Im not using my att s7 with a tmobile sim card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that a website? If you had success then looks like I can give it a try at least
RossTeagan said:
I can't get into technical details. But if you start playing with the OS without knowing what you're doing, you risk making your device unusable.
So, regardless of what unlocking service or repair service you use, make sure they are pros.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A remote unlock with a code is always your best bet.
andykit said:
A remote unlock with a code is always your best bet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bro. Even the best technical guys can screw up a phone's OS, and if you're not "familiar" of the complexity of the device. Leave it to the experts/websites who know what they are doing.
FWIW AT&T lets you use sim locked phones through MVNO carriers as long as they're on ATT's network. For instance a locked Galaxy S7 from ATT will work with Cricket Wireless, H20 etc, since they use ATT towers.
Alright, got a pretty wacky situation here. Trying to see if anyone has any ideas of how to fix this.
I bought an S10+ Verizon firmware from Swappa a few days ago. I intended to use it with T-Mobile. Good deal, good transaction, all good right? Wrong...
It was my understanding that most Verizon phones were unlocked and that I could just flash the Unlocked or T-Mobile firmware to get full T-Mobile functionality.
On receiving the phone I got a "This phone is locked, contact Verizon at etc etc" message. I shrugged and flashed it over to unlocked firmware, where I was met with an "Invalid SIM card. Network locked SIM card inserted." and "PIN to unlock SIM service provider" window. So the phone was locked. Here's my troubleshooting steps from there.
Contacted Verizon support online. They said they lock all their phones for 60 days now as of late July. I said I'd bought it used, they said it had been bought at Walmart recently and there was nothing they could do.
Contacted the seller. He gave me his proof of purchase that the phone was bought new from Samsung.com back in March. I used a site to check the IMEI and the phone was legit from March, and not reported stolen or sketchy at all. Samsung.com specifically says they don't lock their phones and it was well before the 60 day policy anyway.
Contacted Verizon support where they said the phone was purchased as a Verizon phone so it can't be used with other networks. I should sign up for Verizon to enjoy all the features of my phone ? ....and also have it activated on the network so it could be cleared and unlocked. Alright...
I took the phone to a Verizon store where they put an active Verizon SIM in it. Verizon SIM worked great, T-Mobile still had an unlock code. The employee was confused and said they've never entered an Unlock PIN before so he sent me to corporate Verizon support store they had nearby.
Corporate Verizon store was a ton more helpful and the guy called up their god-tier upper support guys. Those guys took over an hour fiddling with things and along the way determined that the phone and it's IMEI were all clear, not stolen, and unlocked. The previous owner had a clean account and was in good standing. The store guy said he'd never seen anything like this and in his four years he'd never entered a SIM pin before. They additionally made sure I hadn't accidentally encrypted my SIM with a pin (I hadn't) and that all the default Verizon 000000, 123456, and 111111 codes weren't going to work. They recommended I contact Samsung support.
Samsung support thought I was an idiot and said that all the phones sold on their storefront are locked and I should contact Verizon to get it unlocked. I tried explaining all of the above but it was like talking to a brick wall.
So what have I tried?
Flashed the phone from Verizon to Unlocked to T-Mobile to Unlocked firmware using Frija and patched Odin. Verizon firmware throws a "contact Verizon" message and sometimes a code window, unlocked gives me code window, and T-Mobile just says it's locked and doesn't give me anything.
I have tried Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs from my friends. T-Mobile and AT&T work for a couple minutes completely normally on reboot. Connection establishes, data, text, and calls come in. Then it locks up and doesn't work. Verizon SIM works entirely normally, but doesn't unlock phone even after being left in for an hour.
Going forward I am going to try
Ask the internet for help. I've googled the living daylights out of this problem and I can't find anyone in my situation. Help?
[\LIST]
Flash the phone back to Verizon firmware. Perhaps the unlock mechanism works somewhere in the firmware and only when it's connected to the Verizon network. Take it to the store, have them pop a Verizon SIM in for a bit, and hope for the best. Flashing from Unlocked to VZW firmware isn't working right now for some odd reason though. It's going back to TMB instead and I'm confused about that to.
[\LIST]
Figure out how to get non-incompetent support out of Verizon (though I've mostly gotten there already) or Samsung and see if someone can help me. When I had to unlock my T-Mobile S8 I bought from Samsung, the IMEI numbers weren't passed to T-Mobile so the regular support people said it was impossible. Eventually I got in contact with someone who broke me out of idiot-land and directly contacted a network engineer who solved the problem in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I can find a network engineer at Verizon?
I could use a sketchy SIM unlock website. Is there any not-sketchy ones?
There's an XDA thread for S10+ U & U1 updates by the mod ibowtoandroid. I believe he has an unlock service that's legit but apparently not cheap. If you read through that thread you might find information helpful for your situation. But if you post a question that was previously answered you will likely be told to read through the thread even though the person who tells you that could have actually answered your question in the same amount of time. It's not the friendliest thread but you might find your answer.
There is a lot of discussion about switching carrier firmware. Since your phone shows up as locked by Verizon even though it shouldn't be you might need to use a Verizon SIM for 48 hours before the phone will revert back to unlocked status--at the time your phone was originally purchased it was necessary to use a Verizon SIM on their branded phones for 48 hours before they could be switched to another carrier.
It's possible you got that message when you purchased your phone because the 48 hour clock started over for some reason but that's only a guess--the ibowtoandroid guy is far more knowledgeable since he actually has a business that unlocks phones.
Are you sure the person who you bought your phone from actually unlocked it before selling it to you? Even if the phone shows up as a device that should be unlocked the previous owner who had the Verizon service might have needed to call Verizon to verify the phone's unlock status before selling it.
Sometimes people accidentally relock these phones when flashing carrier firmware. It doesn't sound like you did that based on your description but if the previous owner flashed firmware to completely reset the phone instead of just performing a factory reset he might have accidentally relocked your phone on the software end.
based on wat ur saying the phone definitely seems to b carrier locked. I got an A50 from verizon and it does the same ecact thing..
theres services online you can use or some boxes have methods as well.. my tmo a10e for example was locked but chimera tool has a neat feature called carrier relock.. it essentially locks it to up to 64 carriers instead of actually unlocking the sim..
one thing i suggest tho is dont try to do it urself unless ur a seasoned expert lol.. i tried on a n976v and after a few harmless at commands it completely killed my imei and cert and mipi etc etc
camwow13 said:
Alright, got a pretty wacky situation here. Trying to see if anyone has any ideas of how to fix this.
I bought an S10+ Verizon firmware from Swappa a few days ago. I intended to use it with T-Mobile. Good deal, good transaction, all good right? Wrong...
It was my understanding that most Verizon phones were unlocked and that I could just flash the Unlocked or T-Mobile firmware to get full T-Mobile functionality.
On receiving the phone I got a "This phone is locked, contact Verizon at etc etc" message. I shrugged and flashed it over to unlocked firmware, where I was met with an "Invalid SIM card. Network locked SIM card inserted." and "PIN to unlock SIM service provider" window. So the phone was locked. Here's my troubleshooting steps from there.
Contacted Verizon support online. They said they lock all their phones for 60 days now as of late July. I said I'd bought it used, they said it had been bought at Walmart recently and there was nothing they could do.
Contacted the seller. He gave me his proof of purchase that the phone was bought new from Samsung.com back in March. I used a site to check the IMEI and the phone was legit from March, and not reported stolen or sketchy at all. Samsung.com specifically says they don't lock their phones and it was well before the 60 day policy anyway.
Contacted Verizon support where they said the phone was purchased as a Verizon phone so it can't be used with other networks. I should sign up for Verizon to enjoy all the features of my phone ? ....and also have it activated on the network so it could be cleared and unlocked. Alright...
I took the phone to a Verizon store where they put an active Verizon SIM in it. Verizon SIM worked great, T-Mobile still had an unlock code. The employee was confused and said they've never entered an Unlock PIN before so he sent me to corporate Verizon support store they had nearby.
Corporate Verizon store was a ton more helpful and the guy called up their god-tier upper support guys. Those guys took over an hour fiddling with things and along the way determined that the phone and it's IMEI were all clear, not stolen, and unlocked. The previous owner had a clean account and was in good standing. The store guy said he'd never seen anything like this and in his four years he'd never entered a SIM pin before. They additionally made sure I hadn't accidentally encrypted my SIM with a pin (I hadn't) and that all the default Verizon 000000, 123456, and 111111 codes weren't going to work. They recommended I contact Samsung support.
Samsung support thought I was an idiot and said that all the phones sold on their storefront are locked and I should contact Verizon to get it unlocked. I tried explaining all of the above but it was like talking to a brick wall.
So what have I tried?
Flashed the phone from Verizon to Unlocked to T-Mobile to Unlocked firmware using Frija and patched Odin. Verizon firmware throws a "contact Verizon" message and sometimes a code window, unlocked gives me code window, and T-Mobile just says it's locked and doesn't give me anything.
I have tried Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs from my friends. T-Mobile and AT&T work for a couple minutes completely normally on reboot. Connection establishes, data, text, and calls come in. Then it locks up and doesn't work. Verizon SIM works entirely normally, but doesn't unlock phone even after being left in for an hour.
Going forward I am going to try
Ask the internet for help. I've googled the living daylights out of this problem and I can't find anyone in my situation. Help?
[\LIST]
Flash the phone back to Verizon firmware. Perhaps the unlock mechanism works somewhere in the firmware and only when it's connected to the Verizon network. Take it to the store, have them pop a Verizon SIM in for a bit, and hope for the best. Flashing from Unlocked to VZW firmware isn't working right now for some odd reason though. It's going back to TMB instead and I'm confused about that to.
[\LIST]
Figure out how to get non-incompetent support out of Verizon (though I've mostly gotten there already) or Samsung and see if someone can help me. When I had to unlock my T-Mobile S8 I bought from Samsung, the IMEI numbers weren't passed to T-Mobile so the regular support people said it was impossible. Eventually I got in contact with someone who broke me out of idiot-land and directly contacted a network engineer who solved the problem in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I can find a network engineer at Verizon?
I could use a sketchy SIM unlock website. Is there any not-sketchy ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, did you manage to solve the problem? mine S10 also asks for an unlock code 5 minutes after turning it on.
wwwxxx1982 said:
hi, did you manage to solve the problem? mine S10 also asks for an unlock code 5 minutes after turning it on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
Verizon does not do unlock codes. You need to have the Verizon firmware on the phone, a Verizon SIM card from a friend, access to the Verizon account, and like an hour of spare time.
Pop the Verizon SIM into your phone, you can get them from a friend, convince a Verizon store guy to help ya out, or just pay a few bucks for a prepaid plan. The phone has to be on the Verizon network for this to work.
Call up Verizon technical support. Tell them you've got a phone to unlock and have been working with their Tier 2 team to square things away. You have to be transferred to Tier 2.
Important to note that Verizon has instigated a 60 day locking policy to prevent theft and whatnot on their network. If the phone was purchased less than 60 days ago and activated on Verizon's network than you're outa luck. You got to wait. If you don't fall under this restriction, you should make sure the support people understand because they'll assume that's what's happening... a lot.
The Tier 2 people generally know what they're doing. They'll verify the device's IMEI and that it hasn't been stolen, is paid off, and that your Verizon account is in good standing. They'll need the PIN access code from the Verizon account holder or a two step verification with another one of their phones.
Once they run the unlock process you should get a text saying the phone is now unlocked. Leave the SIM in for another hour or two to allow the process to complete. I removed the SIM shortly after on the first try and it didn't work so I had to do it again.
After that the phone should be unlocked and you'll be able to flash whatever firmware you want and use it on whichever network. I've got mine running Unlocked firmware on T-Mobile, works great
If you don't have a Verizon S10+ that's locked to Verizon I dunno where to start. Contact the mod ibowtoandroid on here if you get really really stuck. He can get it unlocked but it will cost a ton. He's legit though.
camwow13 said:
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, but I upgraded the phone to another firmware with the code XAA and now I can’t get it back to Verezion
camwow13 said:
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
Verizon does not do unlock codes. You need to have the Verizon firmware on the phone, a Verizon SIM card from a friend, access to the Verizon account, and like an hour of spare time.
Pop the Verizon SIM into your phone, you can get them from a friend, convince a Verizon store guy to help ya out, or just pay a few bucks for a prepaid plan. The phone has to be on the Verizon network for this to work.
Call up Verizon technical support. Tell them you've got a phone to unlock and have been working with their Tier 2 team to square things away. You have to be transferred to Tier 2.
Important to note that Verizon has instigated a 60 day locking policy to prevent theft and whatnot on their network. If the phone was purchased less than 60 days ago and activated on Verizon's network than you're outa luck. You got to wait. If you don't fall under this restriction, you should make sure the support people understand because they'll assume that's what's happening... a lot.
The Tier 2 people generally know what they're doing. They'll verify the device's IMEI and that it hasn't been stolen, is paid off, and that your Verizon account is in good standing. They'll need the PIN access code from the Verizon account holder or a two step verification with another one of their phones.
Once they run the unlock process you should get a text saying the phone is now unlocked. Leave the SIM in for another hour or two to allow the process to complete. I removed the SIM shortly after on the first try and it didn't work so I had to do it again.
After that the phone should be unlocked and you'll be able to flash whatever firmware you want and use it on whichever network. I've got mine running Unlocked firmware on T-Mobile, works great
If you don't have a Verizon S10+ that's locked to Verizon I dunno where to start. Contact the mod ibowtoandroid on here if you get really really stuck. He can get it unlocked but it will cost a ton. He's legit though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was very helpful Thanks. I am pretty sure that my phone has passed that 60 days time frame and the device has a clean IMEI as well but I am not in the US. Do I have to be on the Verizon network or just a Verizon sim will work as well?
Tarar said:
That was very helpful Thanks. I am pretty sure that my phone has passed that 60 days time frame and the device has a clean IMEI as well but I am not in the US. Do I have to be on the Verizon network or just a Verizon sim will work as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can someone please help?
Tarar said:
Can someone please help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if its locked its locked.. meet verizons requirements to have it unlock or pay for a service that can unlock it for you..
theres no easy way to unlock the device.. if there was then itd be posted on xda.. and if it was that easy thered b no point in carriers locking them to begin with
Tarar said:
Can someone please help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
elliwigy said:
if its locked its locked.. meet verizons requirements to have it unlock or pay for a service that can unlock it for you..
theres no easy way to unlock the device.. if there was then itd be posted on xda.. and if it was that easy thered b no point in carriers locking them to begin with
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its actually done through an android app modified by the carrier. The only way to get around it would be to have the carriers unique key as well as the private signing key so you could create your own version. Then you would need a way to modify the system image and successfully install it. After all that there's a good chance there's even more security server side. (Its Verizon, so you know...)
So yes, ultimately it isnt exactly possible.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
Its actually done through an android app modified by the carrier. The only way to get around it would be to have the carriers unique key as well as the private signing key so you could create your own version. Then you would need a way to modify the system image and successfully install it. After all that there's a good chance there's even more security server side. (Its Verizon, so you know...)
So yes, ultimately it isnt exactly possible.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep.. exactly y i said he needs to unlock via official means or pay for a service.. theres plenty services out there.. of course they most likely have access to servers and some tend to be fairly expensive lol.. outside of that hes sol im afraid.
Sent from my SamPWND N976V or G975U
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
jhs39 said:
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe Verizon only unlocks automatically with a sim installed thats had service for 60 days(might be 30 now). I remember seeing someone say they put a friend's Verizon sim in and rebooted and it unlocked for him. I guess they dont verify IMEI to unlock just sim number.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jhs39 said:
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am outside the USA so no way to be on the Verizon network. I will however reinstall the original Verizon firmware and have some one call them for me. Let's see whether that works out or not. Thanks man.
Tarar said:
I am outside the USA so no way to be on the Verizon network. I will however reinstall the original Verizon firmware and have some one call them for me. Let's see whether that works out or not. Thanks man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curious, how did you get a verizon device outside of the country?
To point out, this is the very reason Verizon changed their sim unlocking policy.. to help prevent fraud and theft as they would take vzw devices then sell them for profit to non vzw customers and theyd be unlocked..
Bcuz of this is why they implemented the device needing to be activated on the vzw network and a 60 day period before it will be unlocked.
I dont see them being able to manually override/bypass this as it is policy. That as well as most reps dont even kno the policy and will tell you its unlocked or "verizon doesnt lock devices" which is inaccurate lol
jwarrior319 said:
I believe Verizon only unlocks automatically with a sim installed thats had service for 60 days(might be 30 now). I remember seeing someone say they put a friend's Verizon sim in and rebooted and it unlocked for him. I guess they dont verify IMEI to unlock just sim number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not based on sim number lol..
elliwigy said:
Its not based on sim number lol..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So any random Verizon sim thats active and has had service for 60 days or more will unlock it?
If thats the case someone could still make money off them by using there sim before selling it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
So any random Verizon sim thats active and has had service for 60 days or more will unlock it?
If thats the case someone could still make money off them by using there sim before selling it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
elliwigy said:
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------
elliwigy said:
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
Urbbs said:
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I said lmao.. u need to activate it on vzw then wait 60 days and it will be unlocked..
A quick Google search you can easily find vzw unlock policy:
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy