[Q] SGH-i337m - is my phone unlocked? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Sup all...
Simple enough question. I've spent many days doing searches here in XDA and google but haven't been able to find a clear answer. Or maybe I didn't look hard enough or understand the responses to others questions regarding this topic.
I recently got an S4 (i337m) from Telus. From what I understand, this is the Canadian model (jfltecan). I am not sure if it is unlocked or not however. I know that I should just use a sim from a dif carrier to test, but I don't have access to one at the moment. No one I know has a micro sim that is with a carrier I could use to test with.
I've installed TWRP and flashed Slimbean and afterward I flashed Paranoidandroid roms successfully if that is some sort of indication as to the lock/unlock state of the phone.
So is there any other way to tell? Is there a method of unlocking this phone other than using the *#0011# method or similar methods that I've tried and do not work. Is an Odin method available?
Thanks

If you got it from Telus, directly, 99.99% it's locked
The only way to confirm is by popping in a SIM from another carrier.

I think it depends on how u buy the device. I think if you get the phone on a contract, its locked, but i think if you purchase the device for full price, it should be unlocked. That's atleast how i think it works.

You are most likely sim locked. There is no Odin method to unlock. You should really just buy a code to unlock. Be very careful using the free unlock methods. After a number of attempts the phone will lock itself so you'll never be able to unlock. Others have also messed up their phones trying it.

Buy a code or even safer, FastGSM.com USB cable method to unlock

I am also on telus, if this works like the s3 unlock you need to be on the stock Rom, can be rooted but must be stock.check the s4 thread to be sure though. You can go back to the custom Rom after you unlock and the phone should still be unlocked

Your phone's boot loader is unlocked. Meaning we can install a custom recovery and install a custom ROM very easily. Your phone is Sim locked if you bought it from telus. This means you cannot insert a Sim card in your phone unless its telus. Any other carrier will not work. You can unlock your phone through Telus. They have restrictions on this however. You're better off buying an unlock code off the internet. Its fast and most likely cheaper and no it does not void warranty. Hope this helps

Thanks!
Just wanted to thank everyone for the replies/info.
My phone was sim locked. I did the easy method of purchasing an unlock code from a local shop here. All is good. I can use the phone on any supported GSM carrier and I am able to flash custom roms and what not.
Thanks again to all for the info. Much appreciated and it helped me increase my understanding on this topic.
-Talabis

Related

Can an ulocked G1 be locked by upgrade or root?

If I have an unlocked G1, can anyone tell me if I root my phone and update to some of the firmwares posted hete (RC33), is it possibel that my phone becomes locked again? I now have RC19 and the phone is fully unlocked, but I'm afraid it can become locked again if I root it or flash it with another firmware. I have enough technical background to do the rooting and flashing as I have expoerience with windows mobile, but this is something new for me. Btw - i totally love the G1 and regret not leaving windows mobile.
The Sim-Lock is in an area of the phone that can not be "flashed' by the user. You are good to go!
Thanks a lot for that !
daveid said:
The Sim-Lock is in an area of the phone that can not be "flashed' by the user. You are good to go!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been looking for this answer, as well. I have a brand new g1 that I traded my 3g iphone for. It's unlocked and on my AT&T account with no problems. But I had my iphone modded to the hilt and so of course I want to do the with the g1. That was the answer i was looking for!
Anyone else?
Yes. Please, anyone who has rooted and upgraded their UNLOCKED g1 , share experience. It may seem like a stupid question to some of the "advanced" users
bt remember - you weren't born with knowledge, so share it!
For example - an ulocked Iphone can be locked when upgrading so are you sure that the G1 won't lock as well!
What do you mean unlocked? As in sim unlocked, if so it can not be locked by upgrading software.
If you mean unlocked as in you have access to root. Then yes, but that is why you use JF's firmware.
alright ive got a rooted rc33 and im on at&t, ive upgraded from rc30..
so even when you upgrade you're good to go
I mean sim unlocked
I mean what unlocked means - SIM unlocked. My device is rc19 and came unlocked for any sim cards. I haven't done anything with it yet - root or upgrade and I wanted to ask if it's safe root and upgrade a sim unlocked device.
I was concerned it may become locked again because I don't know anything about the unlocking process on the G1 - I know there is a code that's generated according to the IMEI and tahat's about it but I wanted to know if this code can be erased by flashing newer firmware. I have read the steps described on this site for root and upgrade and I plan to do those with my device but I wanted to gather some opinions first. I hope this topic will be useful to others who have bought the G1 unlocked and are concerned.
axlastro said:
I mean what unlocked means - SIM unlocked. My device is rc19 and came unlocked for any sim cards. I haven't done anything with it yet - root or upgrade and I wanted to ask if it's safe root and upgrade a sim unlocked device.
I was concerned it may become locked again because I don't know anything about the unlocking process on the G1 - I know there is a code that's generated according to the IMEI and tahat's about it but I wanted to know if this code can be erased by flashing newer firmware. I have read the steps described on this site for root and upgrade and I plan to do those with my device but I wanted to gather some opinions first. I hope this topic will be useful to others who have bought the G1 unlocked and are concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
youre safe to upgrade and root, ive done both and mine has stayed unlocked..
Ok. That sounds encouraging. I recall that there were more than one ways to unlock the Iphone. Is it the same with the G1 - I know the main way to unlock
it is by entering a code but I also know there are HARDWARE unlocked devices (as the developer edition of the G1) - Is yours only simUnlocked or is it hardware unlocked too? I'm sorry if I'm asking too much, but I don't want to pay 30$ to get an unlock code again.
It's not like the iphone. The iphone is has to be 'unlocked' by hacking the firmware, since apple have never released any legitimate way of unlocking it, and seem to take great delight in re-locking 'unlocked' iphones every couple of months (this is one of the reasons why my iphone sits at home gathering dust).
The G1 has a standard unlock code, just like just about every phone on the market. Once that code has been entered the phone is unlocked permanently. There's no such thing as a hardware unlocked device - it's merely never been locked to a provider. In the same way if I buy a 5800 from Nokia it's unlocked but it's no different to one got on contract, it's just never been locked.
Google don't care much if you run JF firmware or something you cooked up yourself... they give away the source code so you can do just that.
Thanks.
So entering the simunlock code is irreversible process, having nothing to do with the firmware. That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks guys.
Successfully rooted, upgraded to Jf RC33 with multitouch, put apps on SD and very happy now

unlock (simlock) g1

Is it possible to unlock for free ? Couldn't find an manual (only jtag).
should I risk to buy an locked phone?
This has been covered elsewhere.
Your simlock can be removed by the service provider.
either that or there is a site out there that charges about £20 to send you the unlock code.
Ive just got a G1 off my cousin today and have suffered the same. Luckily for me he is still a tmobile customer and should be able to get the unlock code from them for free.
Danh2009 said:
This has been covered elsewhere.
Your simlock can be removed by the service provider.
either that or there is a site out there that charges about £20 to send you the unlock code.
Ive just got a G1 off my cousin today and have suffered the same. Luckily for me he is still a tmobile customer and should be able to get the unlock code from them for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your confirmation (wasn't sure about this).Jtag can also be done (but thats madness)
Just another question:
I've read that the locked version uses different gsm networks(dual band), while the unlocked versions use quad band.
Can an locked phone that has been unlocked use the quad band (with the right radio) too?
Anyway I've bought the google phone
I found that unlocking on ebay is the fastest and the cheapest way of doing this.
BTW: the phone I'm going to buy has already CM 4.6, should I root again after every build I flash (the kaiser builds were always rooted) ?
I wouldnt have thought you needed to root again if it already has the Cyanogenmod on it as i think its already rooted.
im still learning the android stuff!
i do know that within 3hrs of having my (still locked to tmobile) "virgin" G1 i had the Danger-spl and the latest release of CM on it!
ebay i will have to look into as i have discovered that because im in the UK Tmobile will charge £15 to unlock even though my cousin has had this phone since release.
robuser007 said:
BTW: the phone I'm going to buy has already CM 4.6, should I root again after every build I flash (the kaiser builds were always rooted) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simlock has nothing to do with the rom, and a rooted rom has nothing to do with the simlock outside of prompting you for the code if the radio firmware tells the rom its needed to proceed.
There is no reason to unroot/reroot besides increasing the chances you make a mistake and brick the phone.
If you want a different rom that's your choice, but it will have no impact on the simlock.
ezterry said:
There is no reason to unroot/reroot besides increasing the chances you make a mistake and brick the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So after flashing a custom rom (phone was already rooted) , the phone is still rooted?
Reroot is only needed when flashing the original image back (if you want a custom rom later) ?
Sim unlock code is best to unlock the HTC G1,But free unlock code is not possible to get for this Model Phone,You need to pay for it,Get the unlock code from the site Superunlockcodes.com/htc/rs12wp8/ and Unlock it.

[Q] replace ATT S5 with T-Mobile

I think I can get a T-Mobile S5 and a SIM unlock and use it on AT&Ts network. Is this correct? I really want an unlocked bootloader and the abilty to run non touchwiz roms. Also, is it possible to create a hybrid kernel gto support AOSP roms under touchwiz. Never mind, locked boot loader can't change the kernel anyway, can I?
The other option may be the verizon dev edition phone. Is it possible to unlock it for ATT Network use? I'm a developer myself but just into android and cell phones in general, and I do not yet know what parts fit togrther
dposea123 said:
I think I can get a T-Mobile S5 and a SIM unlock and use it on AT&Ts network. Is this correct? I really want an unlocked bootloader and the abilty to run non touchwiz roms. Also, is it possible to create a hybrid kernel gto support AOSP roms under touchwiz. Never mind, locked boot loader can't change the kernel anyway, can I?
The other option may be the verizon dev edition phone. Is it possible to unlock it for ATT Network use? I'm a developer myself but just into android and cell phones in general, and I do not yet know what parts fit togrther
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile S5 is capable of being unlocked and used on at&t's network.
I use a T-Mobile variant on AT&T and love it.
All the required bands, excellent speeds and plenty of ROM options.
Unlock G900A
seanpr123 said:
I use a T-Mobile variant on AT&T and love it.
All the required bands, excellent speeds and plenty of ROM options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an ATT SM-G900A S5 that is locked. I have the unlock code but don't know how to enter it. I have an old T-Mobile Sim but it is deactivated so it wont trigger the unlock fields. is there a code( *#xxx#) I can use to allow me to enter the unlock code?
Do I have to find an active T-Mobile sim?
Thanks for the advise. I just got this S5 and can do all but use it as a hot spot! ugh HELP!
MWTTRON said:
I have an ATT SM-G900A S5 that is locked. I have the unlock code but don't know how to enter it. I have an old T-Mobile Sim but it is deactivated so it wont trigger the unlock fields. is there a code( *#xxx#) I can use to allow me to enter the unlock code?
Do I have to find an active T-Mobile sim?
Thanks for the advise. I just got this S5 and can do all but use it as a hot spot! ugh HELP!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all don't just randomly post in other peoples threads. Do you have a question? Thoroughly use the site's search function and search google. If, and only if, you haven't found your answer you start your own thread (not just randomly post in other peoples threads).
As far as I know you need a working sim card of another operator. I'm sure you can order them for free online.
Don't post in this thread no more. Make your own instead.
Here is a really good start for you. Good luck. :good:

SIM Unlocking Canadian S5 (900W8) after rooting

Going away, wanted to unlock by Rogers Samsung S5 so I can use a local sim card. Bought an unlock code on Ebay, but it was not accepted. Now I'm doing some reading, says that phones with customer ROMS sometimes have trouble with legitimate unlock codes.
So if it's true, I think I need to go back to stock and try. But I wanted to see if anyone had any experience doing this, if they think that customer ROM is the issue. Also do I have to just go to stock, or also stock recovery, and what about bootloader, does that have to be changed back if I've installed an updated bootloader?
Thanks a lot.

How to Carrier / imei unlock the Huawei Ascend XT ?

Hello,
I just acquired a new 'Huawei Ascend XT' phone which is sim locked to AT&T. I am currently in the process of unlocking the boot loader and rooting the phone.
I was wondering is there any tool available to Carrier / imei unlock this phone after I have rooted it (or may be even befor rooting it)?
Thanks.
I'm fairly certain you just need to change the apn settings manually.. need to do something weird to bring up the option to add/edit, believe it's holding down the tasks button
Without being carrier unlocked, the phone can only be used on AT&T Prepaid, AT&T, or AT&T based MVNOs. These days AT&T won't give you an unlock code unless you use the phone on AT&T Prepaid for 6 months. You can check eBay to see if any unlockers will sell you an unlock code for a few bucks. Only buy from sellers who have a money back guarantee if their unlock code fails.
rhoniel said:
Hello,
I just acquired a new 'Huawei Ascend XT' phone which is sim locked to AT&T. I am currently in the process of unlocking the boot loader and rooting the phone.
I was wondering is there any tool available to Carrier / imei unlock this phone after I have rooted it (or may be even befor rooting it)?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bought 2nd-Hand
I would like to ask if there is any way to carrier unlock. I bought this phone for 20$ on offer up. But when I contacted at&t to request unlock they said it has to be used for 6 months. For me that does not work, as I am already with tMobile and bought the XT for a second phone because of the large device support. I actually love the phone, but as is it is just sitting around. If anyone has or has heard of a way to accomplish an unlock please p.m. Me.or answer in forum. Thanks in advance.
Ps. phone is already bootloader unlocked and rooted with magisk 14.0. And latest TwRP.

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