I'm traveling internationally soon and am interested in looking into the methods to allow me to use an international SIM. I had several questions.
As a note, I have no interest in domestic SIM unlock for my questions.
I understand there is an official SIM unlock available through an OTA from Sprint? If so is this permanent where I can change roms or even do a full reset in ODIN without loosing it.
I understand there is also the unofficial methods described in the forums, I have the same question about this too, if it will be permanent or need to be re-applied if things are reset.
Finally (even if less related to the thread title) what are the SIM unlock options if I want to run the phone using MJA?
Thanks!:fingers-crossed:
Related
I'm on the way to get official unlock code from tmobile. Should I unlock my G2 first before rooting or I can simply root then unlock?
Quote from wiki
NOTE: T-Mobile does offer an unlock code to its loyal customers who are traveling overseas. You can call them and request it. However, as the XDA-forums can attest, some people have had difficulty with their codes, causing the phone to be unable to establish a connection to ANY network.
If other users are having issues with the T-Mobile codes then don't go that method. Just root and unlock yourself, T-Mobile is not needed for any of it. Follow this guide and you will be able to do both http://forum.xda-developers.com/wik...sion#Rooting_the_Vision_.28G2.2FDZ.29_and_DHD
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
Hi guys,
I read a couple of threads and tried a couple of things and didn't work... Im trying to sim unlock my Galaxy S4 GT I9500 on stock android 4.3 not rooted and is not working.
I read about a code using *#0011# code and didn't work.. Post was not specific about using no sim, original carrier sim or desire carrier sim.. anyway I tried all and was a failure.
I read another thread about flashing a modem and downgrading the firmware but wasnt specific enough about how to do it and the requirements (android version, rooted?, how to do it, etc)
I try one of those "code pages" and even they couldnt help me. My carrier is Movistar in Nicaragua.
Is there is any easy way to SIM unlock my phone? maybe by just installing a pre-rooted, pre-unlocked rom? or is there is a page/guide/video with specific instruction on how to do it?
thanks in advance.
I think the step by step instructions on SIM unlocking in the main thread on the topic are pretty specific. They don't mention downgrading the device modem through Odin however because they were written before Samsung patched the exploits that allowed the SIM unlock to work.
Downgrading the modem to an Android 4.2.2 version in the AP/PDA slot in Odin is necessary to run either unlock metbod. However, you can really mess things up trying to unlock if you aren't careful, especially with the service menu exploit.
I have a verizon samsung galaxy note 3 as many already know after 4.4.4 was released verizon locked the note 3 boot loader so users cannot down grade back to 4.4.2 and the only successful root process that works is on 4.4.2 at this time as far as I've researched so my question is if I were to pay verizon the sim unlocking fee and switch to a carrier that has a known properly working root process, in theory would this work. ? Any feed back would be great. Hoping this will work??!! If any thing I've said is confusing please reply and I'll try my best to reword it.
You're assuming that when you pay the fee that verizon will flash you with an unlocked boot chain. Don't think it's possible. If I'm not mistaken, some of the trust zones are flashed then locked with a physical fuse.
....
So paying the unlocking fee then say you buy a BYOD (bring your own device) kit from t-mobile, straight talk etc, activate the phone with the new carrier (preferably a carrier that currently has a root method that works) then proceed with rooting said device?
Again I'm new to the forum as well as new to the concert of rooting, flashing custom roms etc so please respond in laymens terms
Idk if it could work, I'm just trying to explore any possible solutions to the problem of when android 4.4.4 was released (verizon released theirs with a locked bootloader and if my reseach is correct, there are root processes working for android versions after 4.4.2 on other cell carriers.
So what I'm trying to figure out is if I found a root process that is known to be working on for example (a root process that works on t-mobile, sprint, at&t etc)if I paid to unlock the damn sim and activate the SM-N900V on a cell carrier that so happens to have a working root process, what is the likely hood of it working?
Or
Will it be a complete waste of time, effort, and money to atempt?
Riwd98 said:
So paying the unlocking fee then say you buy a BYOD (bring your own device) kit from t-mobile, straight talk etc, activate the phone with the new carrier (preferably a carrier that currently has a root method that works) then proceed with rooting said device?
Again I'm new to the forum as well as new to the concert of rooting, flashing custom roms etc so please respond in laymens terms
Idk if it could work, I'm just trying to explore any possible solutions to the problem of when android 4.4.4 was released (verizon released theirs with a locked bootloader and if my reseach is correct, there are root processes working for android versions after 4.4.2 on other cell carriers.
So what I'm trying to figure out is if I found a root process that is known to be working on for example (a root process that works on t-mobile, sprint, at&t etc)if I paid to unlock the damn sim and activate the SM-N900V on a cell carrier that so happens to have a working root process, what is the likely hood of it working?
Or
Will it be a complete waste of time, effort, and money to atempt?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are confusing 2 different types of "unlocking".
Sim unlocking is not the same as unlocking a bootloader.
The locked bootloader will not be unlocked by Verizon.
The locked bootloader will not allow you to flash a custom kernel or system and prevents the easy rooting methods. Unless someone finds a root method, you will not get root on that device.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Hi. I'm trying to unlock my S4 to use another sim. It's locked to EE. It's now been 2 years so I've got the S6 today. Giving the S4 to my partner.
I tried the *#0011# method. Can't get to the UMTS menu. Tried the Region Unlocker App without success. I tried downloading a random 4.2.2 ROM from the development section to access the Service Menu and I'm now stuck in a boot loop. I used to have 4.4.2 installed.
Please help?
Unlocking only works on stock ROMs. If you downloaded a Jellybean ROM from the development section, you're doing it wrong.
While the unlock methods used here do work if the directions are followed correctly, there's no guarantee the unlock will be retained with ROM updates or baseband changes. You're better off asking EE for an unlock code, or buying an unlock code. Unlike the unlock methods here, once that code is input, it unlock the device for good.
Questions belong in Q&A, not General.
Thank you.