Database Users

[Q] SIM / Network Unlock for Razr M ( Use in Non-US country )

Hi,
Apologies for my ignorance ...but would like to a know something basic about Unlock feature & then also needed to ask a specific question:
Basic Doubts:
1) Developer Edition Razr M :
If I buy this Developer Edition from US , can I use only in US only (or is it specifically Verizon) or can I use it any other country as well.
(In other words is it SIM / Network blocked).
2) What is the difference between Unlocked version & rooted device.
Is it that If I unlock the phone , does it mean rooted.
In some other words the related question is --> If I buy the Razr M Dev Edition , then do I need some sort of a password to unlock it or can I use it straight away like a Retail Razr M Phone.(even without unlocking).
3) What is the difference between Razr M Retail without plan & Razr M Developer Edition.
The reason I am asking this Q is because if we go to the Motorola US site for purchasing the Razr M we have 2 options :
one Retail version & one Dev Edition version.
However if in the retail version link we further select buy we are provided with options like (i) With plan - 99 $ & (ii) Without plan - 549 $
Also alternatively if we go to the Dev Edition buying link , we have one option for 549$.
Now the question is --> Are the options of Retail version without plan - 549 $ (as mentioned in (ii) above) & the option of Dev Edition also for 549 $ . really the same .
If not what would be the difference.
Specific question:
4) If I gift this phone to another friend of mine in another country i.e not US (& which has 3G Network & not 4G LTE)
Can he use the Razr M in that other country.
Sorry for this lengthy content ..But would request if you can please guide me with these queries..
Thanks in advance for the same....
Regards,
AT

1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.

freak4dell said:
1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your detailed reply...
I actually wanted the Razr M ..due to its Snapdragon S4 processor...over the Intel processor Razr i...
What I can more conclude from your reply ...which seems sense to me is that:
to buy the Razr M (without plan) or the Dev Edition at the 549$ price & gift it to my friend abroad , so that he can use it since it should have the SIM unlocked ...
Just wanted to confirm if my understanding is right for the above...would request if it is possible for you to comment on this...
(BTW his country supports the Network frequency for the phone...GSM 900/1800 )
So I guess he should have no issues in operating the phone...
Thanks again for your assistance...
Regards,
AT.

Like I said, I cannot confirm if it comes SIM unlocked out of the box or not. I believe it is, but I do not own one, and I have not tested it myself, so I cannot confirm.
In this thread, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31879273) we found that the phone did read SIM cards from other networks. However, since the test was done using a T-Mobile US SIM card, calls couldn't be made, so we don't know for sure if it would work right away with an overseas SIM card. I hope someone that has traveled overseas with this phone will chime in, but so far, nobody has spoken up.

freak4dell said:
Like I said, I cannot confirm if it comes SIM unlocked out of the box or not. I believe it is, but I do not own one, and I have not tested it myself, so I cannot confirm.
In this thread, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31879273) we found that the phone did read SIM cards from other networks. However, since the test was done using a T-Mobile US SIM card, calls couldn't be made, so we don't know for sure if it would work right away with an overseas SIM card. I hope someone that has traveled overseas with this phone will chime in, but so far, nobody has spoken up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
Thanks ..once again for the quick response...also thanks for the link ...
So I guess I shall wait for any response / comment for the overseas usage (i.e. whether the overseas SIM is unblocked from factory for the Razr M)..
But anyways thanks for all your responses...really appreciate..
Regards,
AT.

Yeah I'm using Razr M in sweden sent from USA, and it works well however when everytime i restart the phone it says " your sim card is from an unknown source" . But it works eventually. I think Rarz i is a better solution for oversea using since there can be no Boat-apps from verizon ( super stupid and worthless oversea) .. or at least those apps on razr i are more international usable..
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

can i buy a verizon phone for 99$ and then unlock it some how???
freak4dell said:
1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as u said the cost of the razr m is 549$ without the contract and there is certainly a large difference in 99$ and 549$.
i would like to know if i purchase a phone with contract and then since the carrier network does not work in my country, i can get a unlockmotorola websites etc. for the unlock codes???
let me know if itz actually possible this way because sparing another 40$ for the unlock codes is way better than buying a 549$ phone.

sunilnm09 said:
as u said the cost of the razr m is 549$ without the contract and there is certainly a large difference in 99$ and 549$.
i would like to know if i purchase a phone with contract and then since the carrier network does not work in my country, i can get a unlockmotorola websites etc. for the unlock codes???
let me know if itz actually possible this way because sparing another 40$ for the unlock codes is way better than buying a 549$ phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't need unlock codes.
But, I already explained how buying it for $99 and then breaking the contract isn't cost effective. Also, how are you going to buy a contract phone from a country you don't live in in the first place?

I have searched many of the SIM unlocking service companies offered, but they do not sell any sim unlock codes for razr m (let it be XT905, XT907 or XT902).
Can anybody help??

yy2013 said:
I have searched many of the SIM unlocking service companies offered, but they do not sell any sim unlock codes for razr m (let it be XT905, XT907 or XT902).
Can anybody help??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1984265&page=19

Hi
Thanks
Do you get 3G and 4g

The T-Mobile USA Xperia Z C6606 Bootloader is locked

Well, I went to check out the T-Mobile branded Xperia Z C6606 at the Sony Style store and was disappointed to see that the bootloader is locked.
I was trying to get information online if it was locked or not but couldn'tget any confirmation. I know that it'sprobably locked by T-mobile, but I was hoping.
Sent from my C6602 using xda premium

All branded/carrier phones are. Tell us something new...

LenAsh said:
All branded/carrier phones are. Tell us something new...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen some phones in the past that were sold by T-Mobile or other carriers but were not bootloader locked. With T-Mobile's new business model and the fact that Sony was selling it outright at their stores, you would think that it should be unlocked.

All phones have locked bootloaders when they come from the store. 'Bootloader unlock allowed' means if it is allowed to unlock it yourself or not, but doing so will void your warranty and wipe your DRM keys (which are needed for Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, MusicID/Gracenote, etc.).
Sent from my Xperia Z using Tapatalk

LenAsh said:
All branded/carrier phones are. Tell us something new...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a carrier here in Spain that sells unlockable Xperias. It's the fourth mayor carrier so is not a shady one.

DrKrFfXx said:
There is a carrier here in Spain that sells unlockable Xperias. It's the fourth mayor carrier so is not a shady one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sim locked and locked bootloader are two separate things. >.>
usually when some stores states "selling unlocked xperia/galaxy/iphone/ etc.." it means the phone is unlocked and it can be used anywhere else. When you purchase a phone from a store (Sony store) or carrier (At&T) it is locked to them. In other words, the phone cannot be used with another sim card like T-Mobile, since the phone is locked to At&t.

LitoNi said:
sim locked and locked bootloader are two separate things. >.>
usually when some stores states "selling unlocked xperia/galaxy/iphone/ etc.." it means the phone is unlocked and it can be used anywhere else. When you purchase a phone from a store (Sony store) or carrier (At&T) it is locked to them. In other words, the phone cannot be used with another sim card like T-Mobile, since the phone is locked to At&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally understand what is sim and boot lock.
I've had in my hands a couple of Xperia devices from that company (Yoigo), one Xperia Mini Pro I think, and the other one a Xperia Z, and both had "Bootloader Unlockable: Yes" on the service menu.

I've read that some custom ROMs can still be flashed on this phone without unlocking the bootloader. Is this true?

skynet11 said:
I've read that some custom ROMs can still be flashed on this phone without unlocking the bootloader. Is this true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if they are based on the stock kernel.

Apollo89 said:
Yes, if they are based on the stock kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anyone have the basebands ftf for this model yet?

HoOnZ said:
I've seen some phones in the past that were sold by T-Mobile or other carriers but were not bootloader locked. With T-Mobile's new business model and the fact that Sony was selling it outright at their stores, you would think that it should be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile isn't really known for locking bootloaders. Verizon on the other hand... When it comes to locked boot loaders it seems to be like this.
Locked carriers:
Verizon
at&t
Mostly unlocked carriers:
Sprint
T-Mobile
Phone brands locked:
HTC
Sony Xperia
sometimes LG
Phone brands not locked
Huawei
Samsung
This has just been my experience.

Will the roms in the development thread work on the TMO version? Might go pick this up in a week or two.

DOTC said:
Will the roms in the development thread work on the TMO version? Might go pick this up in a week or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if they're based on the stock kernel. Something like 'for locked bootloader' has to be mentioned. They often have 'LB' in their titles.

Apollo89 said:
Only if they're based on the stock kernel. Something like 'for locked bootloader' has to be mentioned. They often have 'LB' in their titles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This maybe a stupid question, but I've never flashed a ROM on a locked bootloader. Will the roms still be able to be bloat and CIQ free?

i understand that the bootloader is locked for the t-mo version (c6606), but what about root?
i want to be able to run ti backup and get rid of all these ads...

dnaL0R said:
i understand that the bootloader is locked for the t-mo version (c6606), but what about root?
i want to be able to run ti backup and get rid of all these ads...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
locked bootloader has nothing to do with its ability of being rootable or not.
Root should run fine on tmo version.

LitoNi said:
locked bootloader has nothing to do with its ability of being rootable or not.
Root should run fine on tmo version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gotcha... just found out that the DooMLoRD Easy Rooting Toolkit was just updated to v17 to support my device...
all good now :good:
now i just need to upgrade to 4.2.2

I played with the TMO version today and find it inferior compared to my own C6602. The first problem is the branding and bloatware - yes it is bloated carrier style and a lot of TMO notifications where shown on the demo unit. One of the demo units had noticeable lag, much worse than my C6602 back in March on .350. The other one were smoother.
I managed to put System Tuner on one of them - it runs the standard Interactive governor and 384-1551 is the used frequencies.
The price tag was very high - $610, $579 with "appropriate plan". More expensive than in the Sony Store for an unbranded, unlocked and superior C6602.
I just don't see any reason to buy the TMO version when there is the C6602 available for less money (albeit at a small difference) that can be bootloader unlocked and optimized. Paying MORE for a carrier branded device? No way.
To those that feel that they need to talk LTE with me as a reason to buy the branded edition: wait for the Honami instead - it will offer a superior LTE radio, which means that it can be used on many carriers. I base this assumption on the nice multiband LTE radio that the Z Ultra offers.
After playing with the T-Mobile version, my recommendation of the C6602 instead is stronger than before.
To those that want to argue about prices: use a credit card instead if $539 is "too much".

t-mobile's wifi calling feature is the ONLY reason why i went with the C6606... having lte is nice too, i guess

dnaL0R said:
t-mobile's wifi calling feature is the ONLY reason why i went with the C6606... having lte is nice too, i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get the reason the have WiFi Calling when there is a little thing called Google Voice. I can make free calls to the whole US that way and even configure it as a 100% IP phone with GrooveIP. For international calls, I am using Viber or Voice (my relatives in Sweden use Viber so we have free calls).
To me, carrier bloat and locked bootloaders are total dealbreakers and I can't really see how WiFi Calling can compensate.
LTE? I will get it when I can buy a standard, unlocked device and use it. As long as I need carrier branding in order to use it - I say pass.

So you want to unlock your S IV...

You can't.
You can call Sprint and they can unlock it for you or you can purchase an already unlocked phone.
YES Sprint phones ARE international CAPABLE but have a CDMA CARD. Get it unlocked through SPRINT.
The carrier must unlock your SIM to have GSM capabilities. Period.
There's no magical code, no night gnome who can give you international capabilities, there is no work around. Your card defines your capabilities.
Glad we got that cleared up. Lets stop asking now, shall we? Please?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

babyshrimps said:
You can't.
You can call Sprint and they can unlock it for you or you can purchase an already unlocked phone.
YES Sprint phones ARE international CAPABLE but have a CDMA CARD. Get it unlocked through SPRINT.
The carrier must unlock your SIM to have GSM capabilities. Period.
There's no magical code, no night gnome who can give you international capabilities, there is no work around. Your card defines your capabilities.
Glad we got that cleared up. Lets stop asking now, shall we? Please?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is wrong. You can. Just won't work on AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Every other SIM(international) is unlocked for use as long as the SIM slot itself is unlocked.
Source: The Sprint GS4 in my hand.

Interesting. I'll let my co workers at Sprint know
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

autoprime said:
This is wrong. You can. Just won't work on AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Every other SIM(international) is unlocked for use as long as the SIM slot itself is unlocked.
Source: The Sprint GS4 in my hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that was the case more people would be saying "Go into settings and unlock UICC and bam all set international."
The very first releases from Samsung to Sprint - like mine - were actually international, however most of the employees scooped the oops devices. Those purchased at Best Buy still have intermittent unlocked devices 1:20). In the chance you got lucky then NO we don't need to unlock it but yes, for 90% of the S IV population yes, unfortunately there's a very good chance we do. If this was the case the threads would have ceased to continue resurfacing.
So either tell the people so they stop asking or continue ignoring them.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

babyshrimps said:
If that was the case more people would be saying "Go into settings and unlock UICC and bam all set international."
The very first releases from Samsung to Sprint - like mine - were actually international, however most of the employees scooped the oops devices. Those purchased at Best Buy still have intermittent unlocked devices 1:20). In the chance you got lucky then NO we don't need to unlock it but yes, for 90% of the S IV population yes, unfortunately there's a very good chance we do. If this was the case the threads would have ceased to continue resurfacing.
So either tell the people so they stop asking or continue ignoring them.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after 90 days Sprint unlocks them when you ask the international department. My phone came sim locked. Had the invalid sim error and everything. It was then unlocked. I have had multiple GS4's unlocked. No more sim error. International sims confirmed working.
the issue is that not everyone asking has waited 90 days. There's a good number of people that have this phone and are't even using Sprint as their carrier. This is where most of the questions and confusion comes from.. those two groups. Then there are the last two groups... those who have been but (incorrectly flagged as unlocked but no true unlock was performed OTA... and those who are just like me that have unlocked and used the device overseas.
Since there's not a ton of Sprint users that have used their device overseas... after waiting 90 days... and being unlocked properly OTA... we arent seeing lots of posts about success... but they exist. Also, you aren't accounting for when the device's unlock method goes public and Sprint is no longer needed. That's the real goal behind all of the unlock questions. How can the phone be hacked to bypass the sim lock. Then everyone can unlock at their own free will. Then the next project will come... getting the unlocked GS4s working on ATT/TMO(something I've already started working on). If you've been paying attention to the HTC forums.. they have just figured out unlock method without needing Sprints help. This was after 80+ pages of people saying it wasnt possible and failed attempts.
You mention Best Buy devices... is there something in the system not allowing anyone that purchased a phone there to not be unlocked? You mention a first batch of phones maybe working... but my most recent GS4 is 2 weeks old.. so surely thats not from the first batch... yet still unlockable.

@autoprime
so if I want to check if my phone came unlocked as you say one of your many gs4's did. All I would have to do would be to buy an international sim from eBay, or amazon if available and pop it in. Then if I don't get the sim error notification, I am unlocked?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

daniel4653 said:
@autoprime
so if I want to check if my phone came unlocked as you say one of your many gs4's did. All I would have to do would be to buy an international sim from eBay, or amazon if available and pop it in. Then if I don't get the sim error notification, I am unlocked?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
none of my phones came unlocked out of the box. they were all unlocked after. then tested with GSM sims... unlock confirmed working. That was my point in responding in this thread... so people knew an unlock was possible.. despite what the OP suggests.
you can use any non-sprint sim card to test if you are unlocked... even AT&T or Tmobile. If you are unlocked.. you wont get a sim card error after booting up with the new sim in. if you get the error, youre not unlocked.

[Q] Help with Galaxy S5 carrier and bootloader unlocking?

So I am going to buy a probably used Galaxy S5, most likely from Swappa.com and I am going to activate it with Metro PCS, which is a GSM carrier, so I know I need a GSM carrier GS5, like from AT&T or T-Mobile. I did a bit of googling and I only ended up with more questions... Are the AT&T and T Mobile versions of the GS5 carrier locked? From what I read online, the ATT is locked and the Tmobile is unlocked, but I cant be certain from the couple forum posts I could only find. If the phone is already unlocked, I can just bring it into the Metro PCS store and activate it, right?
Now, what if it is locked? Can I carrier unlock it myself? How do I do that? Do I really need to buy an unlock code online? Seems kinda sketchy to buy these codes from random unlocking sites, but if I have to...? Also, can I have it unlocked by Metro PCS or T-Mobile or ATT?
Next part of my question is about the bootloader. Again, I did some research, but found only one relatively... relevant forum post. So I come here for direct help. I was chatting with AT&T tech support on their site asking about the bootloader.
Anyways, ATT told me the bootloader on their GS5's are encrypted locked. What about TMobiles version? Supposedly if they are encrypted, there is near to no chance of really getting that unlocked. Although, if they are not encrypted, would they be able to be unlocked? I have no idea about T-Mobile having a locked bootloader or not.
Lastly, has the bootlader been unlocked already for any GS5? I ask because ive seen some GS5's with custom ROM's and launchers and stuff, but last I heard, they were still locked.

You didn't do much "research" via Google or searching this forum or you'd already have the answers your are looking for. These questions have been asked and answered innumerable times.
Very few carriers other than ATT and Verizon lock bootloaders. TMB's bootloader is not locked. Generally speaking, TMB model has the most GSM bands and is arguably the most desirable model but you need to check whether those include the bands you need with the carrier you plan to use. Do that by checking and comparing the bands that both carriers use or simply find out what S5 model your carrier uses itself.
Most phones, incuding TMB, ATT, et al are SIM locked. But you can easily get a third party vendor to provide an unlock code for about $20 and thereafter use it on another carrier.
.

fffft said:
You didn't do much "research" via Google or searching this forum or you'd already have the answers your are looking for. These questions have been asked and answered innumerable times.
Very few carriers other than ATT and Verizon lock bootloaders. TMB's bootloader is not locked. Generally speaking, TMB model has the most GSM bands and is arguably the most desirable model but you need to check whether those include the bands you need with the carrier you plan to use. Do that by checking and comparing the bands that both carriers use or simply find out what S5 model your carrier uses itself.
Most phones, incuding TMB, ATT, et al are SIM locked. But you can easily get a third party vendor to provide an unlock code for about $20 and thereafter use it on another carrier.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, this is just totally new to me. Ive never had an android device other than a Nexus 7 I was gifted that i hardly use. Ive never even had a smartphone, so Ive had to find and absorb all this info about rooting, bootloaders, unlocking. Its been kinda mind boggling. So in the meantime after I posted this I pieced together this info.. I hope I am corrrect:
-AT&T and Verizon have been locking their bootloaders for a while and everyone hates them for that
-Any GSM carrier phone can be unlocked to work with any other GSM carrier
-CDMA cannot be unlocked at all
Kinda iffy on this one, not 100% sure... -Rooting is the same as unlocking the bootloader. If the bootloader is not encrypted, the phone can be rooted and custom ROM's/recoveries can be installed.
-Supposedly Verizon and AT&T GS5's can now be rooted... (cant link to outisde links, but just search "How to Root ANY Samsung Galaxy S5 Variant (Even AT&T & Verizon) in 20 Seconds Flat" and its the first link.
Based off this new info I have gathered... I want a T-Mobile GS5 (or AT&T if they can in fact be rooted and have custom ROM's installed on them). I will have to carrier unlock it myself unless it is already unlocked (someone on Swappa.com says they are selling a "factory unlocked" T-Mobile GS5 for $480, so I guess T-Mobile also sells carrier unlocked versions). I will unlock it using a code from theunlockingcompany website for $40 (seems like a steep price, but supposedly its the best site to use). I will then unlock it with the code which should take a couple minutes after I get the code, code taking up to 5 hours to arrive in my email. I will then have to take it in store to Metro PCS (hopefully I can do it online too if I order the SIM card online to ship to me for $10) to have it activated with them and get service. Then it should be activated, have my phone number, have cell and data service, paid/pay $40 a month. All is well in the world.
Is that info I discovered above true, what about the steps I should go through in the last section, above?

DannyDee15 said:
Is that info I discovered above true
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't know where to begin. Yes, a TMB phone is ideal IMO for ATT because it covers all of the ATT frequencies and then some, plus has an unlocked bootloader. Most of the rest you have wrong.
Any GSM carrier phone can be unlocked to work with any other GSM carrier
No. You can unlock phones, but models will seldom work well on a different carriers frequency allotment.
CDMA cannot be unlocked at all
Not true.
Rooting is the same as unlocking the bootloader.
They are not the same thing.
If the bootloader is not encrypted, the phone can be rooted
Not correct. You can root phones with locked (encrypted) bootloaders.
Supposedly Verizon and AT&T GS5's can now be rooted
Almost any Android with a pre-June6th firmware build can be rooted.
so I guess T-Mobile also sells carrier unlocked versions
Nope.
I don't know how you managed to adopt so much misinformation. I can only assume that you haven't done much reading yet and /or made a lot of assumptions. You should read some of the sticky posts to get a better general understanding of how everything fits together. Then you can pose more informed questions.
It has nothing to do with being new to smartphones. You just thought that it was easier to ask than to do a proper search or puzzle out a few confusing points. It would be in your own best interests to do some reading, but whether you do or not is entirely up to you.
.

Looking for a guide to unlock S10+ SM-G9750 Verizon

Hi,
I am looking for a guide to unlocking a Verizon S10+ chip version to a Movistar career from Mexico, are this is possible? I would like to load the official global fw version if it is possible.
Thanks! In advance.

hackerjj22 said:
Hi,
I am looking for a guide to unlocking a Verizon S10+ chip version to a Movistar career from Mexico, are this is possible? I would like to load the official global fw version if it is possible.
Thanks! In advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moviestar career from Mexico? You failed to mention what model phone you have exactly since everyone knows the US models can't be unlocked.

Tel864 said:
Moviestar career from Mexico? You failed to mention what model phone you have exactly since everyone knows the US models can't be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The model is SM-G9750U, yes Movistar from Mexico. I found this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...ow-to-carrier-unlock-stock-sm-g955u1-t3778162 and also this another one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/sm-g975u-firmware-downloads-tmo-spr-att-t3908657.
Do you think this could work?
Thank you!

Tel864 said:
Moviestar career from Mexico? You failed to mention what model phone you have exactly since everyone knows the US models can't be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's asking for a SIM unlock, not bootloader unlock, and the Verizon device (as he mentioned, just added a 0 to the model #) gets unlocked naturally after you insert an active SIM into it. Do you know anyone in the US with a Verizon account? It should take a few minutes.

entropism said:
He's asking for a SIM unlock, not bootloader unlock, and the Verizon device (as he mentioned, just added a 0 to the model #) gets unlocked naturally after you insert an active SIM into it. Do you know anyone in the US with a Verizon account? It should take a few minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, probably... Do you have any guide to do it? I understand that login to the portal of Verizon and put the IMEI to get the unblock code, correct?
Thank you, I really appreciate your help!

No. You put an active SIM into the device and it unlocks. There's no code request.

entropism said:
No. You put an active SIM into the device and it unlocks. There's no code request.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Thank you, I will give it a try when I have the device. When does it request an unlock code?

It doesn't. You put an active Verizon SIM in, and it unlocks. Then you can use any SIM you want in it. That's it.

entropism said:
It doesn't. You put an active Verizon SIM in, and it unlocks. Then you can use any SIM you want in it. That's it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So first I need to boot with a Verizon SIM and then power off and put the Movistar sim?

Hello,
Once I put my Movistar Sim, I receive a message "Sorry your device can´t be activated on another carrier´s network right now. For help, contact Verizon at ....."
Any suggestion?
Thanks in advance!

I honestly thought this guy was going to Mexico to pursue his career by becoming a movie star.

Hi,
An update from unlockunit.com:
Hi Hackerjj,
Unfortunately, if you cannot find your Phone Model, Country or Network listed on our website, we are unable to generate the unlocking codes for your device.
If you get the message ‘’Unavailable’’ after entering the order details on our website, one of the below situations may occur:
1. Your phone is locked within a CDMA and not a GSM network (you can check on www.gsmarena.com if your phone is a CDMA model)
2. Your phone is not part of the networks/countries that we currently unlock
In order to receive the correct unlock code, it’s very important that you select the correct country and network you originally bought your phone from. In case you place an order with the incorrect order details, we will not be able to refund your payment.
We are constantly improving our service and we hope that very soon we will start to offer unlocking codes for devices locked to Verizon, U.S.A. such as yours.
Thank you for your collaboration and we apologize we couldn't help you this time.
Have a great day!
Kind regards,
Ionut Z.

Do you think following this guide, (in case that is compatible with the G9750U could works to unlock?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...m-beyondrom-v3-1-t3942112/page35#post80800765

hackerjj22 said:
Do you think following this guide, (in case that is compatible with the G9750U could works to unlock?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...m-beyondrom-v3-1-t3942112/page35#post80800765
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe it would change your IMEI.

It needs an active Verizon sim in it for 24 to 48 hours before it will umlock. Once unlocked it should receive a message saying so.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs

jwarrior319 said:
It needs an active Verizon sim in it for 24 to 48 hours before it will umlock. Once unlocked it should receive a message saying so.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! - I do not have any Verizon chip, probably I can buy one from eBay, but one thing is that probably does not be activated due I am right now on Mexico. Thanks again!

matt0323 said:
I honestly thought this guy was going to Mexico to pursue his career by becoming a movie star.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:laugh::laugh::laugh: Me too :silly:

jwarrior319 said:
It needs an active Verizon sim in it for 24 to 48 hours before it will umlock. Once unlocked it should receive a message saying so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not true.. i never understood why people will come in here and trust anything anyone says when it comes to sim unlocking lol..
verizon unlock policy states to prevent theft/fraud users are required to activate the device with verizon then after 60 days the device will be unlocked..
if his verizon purchased g975u was never activated on verizon then he hasnt even started his 60 day wait period.. verizon specifically implemented this policy because of people doing what the op is doing... purchase a phone for cheap somehow then use it on some other carrier/network without ever using verizon..
i am sure they had lots of theft and fraud going on with users scamming vzw devices for cheap then reselling for profit since they were unlocked theyd work anywhere out thebox so thisis their way of trying to combat that..
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy

hackerjj22 said:
Do you think following this guide, (in case that is compatible with the G9750U could works to unlock?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...m-beyondrom-v3-1-t3942112/page35#post80800765
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bro, your device isnt a "g9750u" its a g975u.. theres no such thing as a g9750u lol.. also, flashing a rom wont unlock the phone.. also, you cant flash any custom roms anyways since u have alockedbl and no, ur device is not bl unlockable either

elliwigy said:
not true.. i never understood why people will come in here and trust anything anyone says when it comes to sim unlocking lol..
verizon unlock policy states to prevent theft/fraud users are required to activate the device with verizon then after 60 days the device will be unlocked..
if his verizon purchased g975u was never activated on verizon then he hasnt even started his 60 day wait period.. verizon specifically implemented this policy because of people doing what the op is doing... purchase a phone for cheap somehow then use it on some other carrier/network without ever using verizon..
i am sure they had lots of theft and fraud going on with users scamming vzw devices for cheap then reselling for profit since they were unlocked theyd work anywhere out thebox so thisis their way of trying to combat that..
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I had bought a Verizon Sim, it is on the way, I think I will receive it in 2 weeks, after that we will know it the cellphone is unlockable. This is the last thing I can do, I think this cellphone is un-rootable also a pain. Another way is to use this provider, but I have not completely trust and is very expensive. https://store.unlockboot.com/remote-unlock-service/