My device is a completely stock Sprint S4 updated to L720VPUEMK2
I called Sprint and asked very nicely for them to unlock my phone so I can use international SIM cards while I'm overseas next month. I received an OTA update yesterday, which I'm assuming was the MK2 update (I didn't check, I was too excited to see that stupid icon besides ever since the first OTA to 4.3 my phone has been borderline unusable, freezing up all the time and not responding.) but then today I got an email from Sprint saying my device has been unlocked.
Is there any way for me to test to see if the phone has really bee unlocked? I specifically requested an International unlock and they asked for use in which countries, so I doubt I can just throw a domestic SIM from another carrier in there.
You can . it won't work but it its is truly unlocked it won't show a "no Sim inserted".
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daniel4653 said:
You can . it won't work but it its is truly unlocked it won't show a "no Sim inserted".
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you mean if I put a domestic SIM in?
rawr703 said:
you mean if I put a domestic SIM in?
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or international
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Related
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
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Simply put no
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robogoflow said:
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
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It is a world phone but it is locked to Sprint only you can call sprint and have it unlocked for international and sprint simcards only no domestic Sims like from t-mobile and AT&T.
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nicotheandroidguy said:
It is a world phone but it is locked to Sprint only you can call sprint and have it unlocked for international and sprint simcards only no domestic Sims like from t-mobile and AT&T.
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Okay did some research and youre correct. Invalid sim pops up when a local sim is inserted. Lets say I flash the google edition rom stock rooted. Now I know it will mess up all radio with cdma but will this bypass or does sprint have a hardware lock on the device?
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No way!
Not gonna work.
The Ax says thanks.
robogoflow said:
Okay did some research and youre correct. Invalid sim pops up when a local sim is inserted. Lets say I flash the google edition rom stock rooted. Now I know it will mess up all radio with cdma but will this bypass or does sprint have a hardware lock on the device?
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No that doesn't discard it it is a hardware lock.
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robogoflow said:
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
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Switch to T-Mobile, get new GS4, sell Sprint GS4. Problem solved.
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It will work on tmobile
robogoflow said:
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
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Yes, it will work on tmobile for text and call when you unlocked it. For data, you need to change the apn setting to epc.tmobile.com. I am sure that you will get EDGE but not sure about 3g/4g or LTE.
Galaxy s 4 sprint to Tmobil
robogoflow said:
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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Unfortunately they work in different bands even you put a Tmobil Sim card it wont work.
Lucky422 said:
Unfortunately they work in different bands even you put a Tmobil Sim card it wont work.
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That is not correct. It will work if you unlocked it. You will only get EDGE data for the time being in the US.
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Sprint to tmobil
gizmoscoop said:
That is not correct. It will work if you unlocked it. You will only get only 2g data.
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Im sure not everyone is willing to tinker with setting and all that...and sure you can make it work if youre willing to put the time and effort then yes it will work.
sprint to tmobil
thanks for all but can someone put what will be the procedure in how its done and the call how it will work just fine or what? please i need to know to do it im a newbee .thanks to everyone
You can't do it, it is impossible. Sprint has US carriers blocked and there is no method to unlock to use a Sprint phone on Tmobile. So here is the steps to follow: List your Sprint phone on Ebay or Craigslist, Sell it, go buy a Tmobile S4, enjoy.
2nd try
gizmoscoop said:
Yes, it will work on tmobile for text and call when you unlocked it. For data, you need to change the apn setting to epc.tmobile.com. I am sure that you will get EDGE but not sure about 3g/4g or LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im having difficulties rooting the S4. When I check it says its not rooted properly. Im still on MF9 and have no clue how to get it to MDC/MDL baseband. Any help? And how would you change the apn settings?
cruise350 said:
You can't do it, it is impossible. Sprint has US carriers blocked and there is no method to unlock to use a Sprint phone on Tmobile. So here is the steps to follow: List your Sprint phone on Ebay or Craigslist, Sell it, go buy a Tmobile S4, enjoy.
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It's very possible..
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will not work don't waste your time trying. Maybe on verizon or another cdma carrier but not gsm just wont work. I read this question at least 100 times on xda and no one ever did it successfully or even partially. Trade or sell it
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actually...
devoureddreams said:
Simply put no
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I just rooted my sph-L720 and am in the middle of unlocking it right now...so yes, it's possible to go tmobile
aaron.romina said:
I just rooted my sph-L720 and am in the middle of unlocking it right now...so yes, it's possible to go tmobile
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Yes it's easily possible, but because there isn't a how to on here, people assume it isn't..
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Ive seen a video on YouTube where someone confirms a sprint iphone 4s on tmobile sim
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sigh...
There seems to be a very dismissive attitude in this thread.
I have a Sprint HTC One and I can easily throw a T-Mobile SIM in there and get full service (sans LTE) with T-Mobile. The HSPA+ is faster than the Sprint 3G.
So while I do not have personal experience with the S4 in this fashion, I do not see why it would not be possible to get it unlocked and used on T-Mobile. (Unless Samsung/Sprint are blocking it for whatever reason)
I really want to sell my phone. I know I can get more money for it if us unlocked. Ive already googled how to unlock it and it seems pretty simple. My question is should I unlock it before its sold? Never unlocked a phone lol so sorry for this question.
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Unlocked always adds a little bit more value to a device.
Why not?
theexel said:
Unlocked always adds a little bit more value to a device.
Why not?
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True lol. Ill read up on it a little more.
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I just got an ATT S4 I was planning to end my postpaid account with ATT and using prepaid.
I read in a forum somewhere that says you have a better chance of getting your non-iPhone device unlocked thru ATT international chat.
I tried numerous times with all my devices thru ATT unlocking to no avail. This time i tried the international chat just for the hell of it. Gave her my info and etc and what do know? It worked, she gave me instructions and the unlocked code. Another shocker is that this phone isn't even registered under my account.
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Question. I went through the procedure of unlocking my phone. I dont have another sim card to test if it worked. Anyihe know another way?
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I am American but live in The Netherlands where I bought my Note 3 from Vodafone and wil be going to see my family in the states for two months and want to be able use a AT&T sim. surposelly once you actiate your region sim and make a few calls where you bought it it should be unlocked, right?
Hearing all kind of stories that only region lock will be unlocked and I will have to use my vodapone simm will work?
Just seems very unclear and wondering if there is new news to this?
Using your regions simple will unlock region lock. If your phone is locked to your network, you will either need to root and use the CF region unlock app or get it unlocked from your carrier or buy a unlock code..
PS- Also questions go in the Q&A section, NOT the general section.
Sent From My SM-N9005 To All You Wonder Nobodies!!
Thank you.
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regionlockaway by chainfire works flawlessly. worked for me it didn't only region unlocked my phone but also sim unlocked my phone as well
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You need to use a sim from the EU to clear the region lock. The specifics on how are a bit vague, some managed it with a single short call, others had to use the internet as well.
There is no provider-lock or network-lock on the phone. The EU has a law against that. (the firmware is branded Vodafone, but that's just a sticker with the logo and a few apps, really.)
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Thanks for info.
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big_b0sss said:
regionlockaway by chainfire works flawlessly. worked for me it didn't only region unlocked my phone but also sim unlocked my phone as well
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did you do it while on the kitkat rom? they say it's not working now for 4.4.2?
ShadowLea said:
You need to use a sim from the EU to clear the region lock. The specifics on how are a bit vague, some managed it with a single short call, others had to use the internet as well.
There is no provider-lock or network-lock on the phone. The EU has a law against that. (the firmware is branded Vodafone, but that's just a sticker with the logo and a few apps, really.)
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
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Well I am i the states and its still locked and could not use a AT&T sim. now after being on with Samsung I had to e-mail info and they said it will take up to a week for the paperwork to go through, not holding my breath and I dont want to root this phone.
I am traveling to Israel and want to buy a local (Orange network) SIM card to use in my Sprint Galaxy S4. What settings, etc. do I need to change; what do I need to do other than inserting the new SIM card?
There's a guide for international unlock. Search before posting please.
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daniel4653 said:
There's a guide for international unlock. Search before posting please.
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where？？ please tell me
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2415587
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Wow, the procedure in that thread sounds awfully complicated. Is that really needed?
Yes.
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daniel4653 said:
Yes.
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I do believe you, but doesn't Sprint claim they can unlock it and then you just insert the SIM card?
You need to.have sprint for 90 days and have good standing. Means up to date with your bills and no problems. Their unlock doesn't work 100% of the time.
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daniel4653 said:
You need to.have sprint for 90 days and have good standing. Means up to date with your bills and no problems. Their unlock doesn't work 100% of the time.
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I've had Sprint for years and everything is 100% up to date.
Is it worthy trying their unlock first? How can I tell if it works or not? And then if not, go through this procedure?
Sorry to sound ignorant, but I am.
CMeys said:
I've had Sprint for years and everything is 100% up to date.
Is it worthy trying their unlock first? How can I tell if it works or not? And then if not, go through this procedure?
Sorry to sound ignorant, but I am.
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Call the international department and tell them you plan to go to Europe soon so you need to unlock the phone. They will send a update to your phone. You can check by setting a international Sim or even an ATT or Tmobile Sim into the phone. If it shows "no sim inserted" then it was not correctly unlocked.
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daniel4653 said:
Call the international department and tell them you plan to go to Europe soon so you need to unlock the phone. They will send a update to your phone. You can check by setting a international Sim or even an ATT or Tmobile Sim into the phone. If it shows "no sim inserted" then it was not correctly unlocked.
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Thank you. I will call them. Do you mean that I can insert the international Sim and even though it won't work in the US, I'll be able to tell that the unlock worked?
CMeys said:
Thank you. I will call them. Do you mean that I can insert the international Sim and even though it won't work in the US, I'll be able to tell that the unlock worked?
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From what I was recently told... yes. May test this soon myself.
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daniel4653 said:
Call the international department and tell them you plan to go to Europe soon so you need to unlock the phone. They will send a update to your phone. You can check by setting a international Sim or even an ATT or Tmobile Sim into the phone. If it shows "no sim inserted" then it was not correctly unlocked.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
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You mean Asia,not Europe
One additional question for you patient souls: once I've got it all unlocked with (hopefully) the sim working correctly, can I just leave the sim in the phone and switch between the CDMA & GSM modes or do I need to actually remove it when I return to the US and back to Sprint service?
CMeys said:
One additional question for you patient souls: once I've got it all unlocked with (hopefully) the sim working correctly, can I just leave the sim in the phone and switch between the CDMA & GSM modes or do I need to actually remove it when I return to the US and back to Sprint service?
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The Sprint sim is required to receive LTE so yes, you must put the Sprint sim back in and reset your APNs for Sprint.
cruise350 said:
The Sprint sim is required to receive LTE so yes, you must put the Sprint sim back in and reset your APNs for Sprint.
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Thanks. I've been doing a lot of reading about the Spring S4 with international Sim and see a lot about needing to manually edit APNS to get data and that one needs to be rooted to do that. Is that so? I am not rooted.
There are apps in the play store that can add the APNs for you automatically. Not sure if you need to be rooted to use them though. Search the play store for APN apps and the descriptions will tell you if they require root or not.
Bought a essential phone not knowing it was Sprint is there anyway to have it unlocked so I can use it with any carrier?
Jduncan312 said:
Bought a essential phone not knowing it was Sprint is there anyway to have it unlocked so I can use it with any carrier?
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Rooting will not unlock the phone. You need to stay with Sprint for 50 days to be eligible for unlock. If you are planning to reuse on a different network, better return the phone.
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shanspidie said:
Rooting will not unlock the phone. You need to stay with Sprint for 50 days to be eligible for unlock. If you are planning to reuse on a different network, better return the phone.
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But I'm not with Sprint ?? guy told me it was unlocked
Jduncan312 said:
But I'm not with Sprint [emoji24][emoji24] guy told me it was unlocked
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May be it was unlocked and then sprint Locked it. Did you try using a different sim? Does it day invalid sim?
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Rooting will not sim unlock the phone
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Jduncan312 said:
But I'm not with Sprint ?? guy told me it was unlocked
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If you can't put another SIM in the phone from Verizon, T-Mobile, etc and have it work; it is not unlocked.
The guy that sold it to you lied.
shanspidie said:
May be it was unlocked and then sprint Locked it. Did you try using a different sim? Does it day invalid sim?
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Yeah I tried putting my straight talk sim card in it
Jduncan312 said:
Yeah I tried putting my straight talk sim card in it
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You have option to return the phone? If not, you will have to sell it as locked to sprint
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