Database Users

[Q] How do I know if my phone is unlocked?

I picked up a SM-G900L version of the S5 and the clerk told me that it's unlocked and i'll be able to use it in the U.S. without a problem. Is there anyway to verify I won't have any problems (updates etc etc) with the phone once I head back to the states?
Also I rarely see any threads for the G900L version...

chaulklet said:
I picked up a SM-G900L version of the S5 and the clerk told me that it's unlocked and i'll be able to use it in the U.S. without a problem. Is there anyway to verify I won't have any problems (updates etc etc) with the phone once I head back to the states?
Also I rarely see any threads for the G900L version...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pop in a Tmo or ATT sim and see if it works. I don't believe there is a screen or setting that shows "unlocked".
Edit: You will need to enter the correct APN for these carriers to get data.

jawmail said:
Pop in a Tmo or ATT sim and see if it works. I don't believe there is a screen or setting that shows "unlocked".
Edit: You will need to enter the correct APN for these carriers to get data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang I can't get my hands on one of those to test... entering apn I can do that once I get back.
will still take suggestions/add on information

hi on my s i tape *#0011# and down i see if its lock or not .perhaps helping

Yeah, for me, that's my way to check it, insert SIM card from different carriers.

there is no other way to test this, other than popping in a different SIM?

[Q] This Sim Card is from an Unknown Source - HELP PLEASE!

hello guys i buy the galaxy s5 (Verizon) on ebay and when i put my sim card in my city in Dominican Republic i get error
"This Sim Card is from an Unknown Source"
i can make a calls and recieve call too is just the mobile data is not working and i tried with many sim cards carriers of my city and not working the internet but my brother have too a Galaxy s5 (T-Mobile) and work fine with my sim card is something about the software of my galaxy i dont know how to fix it or some patch for use GSM fully work.

_u2pop_ said:
hello guys i buy the galaxy s5 (Verizon) on ebay and when i put my sim card in my city in Dominican Republic i get error
"This Sim Card is from an Unknown Source"
i can make a calls and recieve call too is just the mobile data is not working and i tried with many sim cards carriers of my city and not working the internet but my brother have too a Galaxy s5 (T-Mobile) and work fine with my sim card is something about the software of my galaxy i dont know how to fix it or some patch for use GSM fully work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is, it requires Verizon SIM. AFAIK TMobile is not as strict as Verizon..

kprice8 said:
Problem is, it requires Verizon SIM. AFAIK TMobile is not as strict as Verizon..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Te hone seems to be unlocked. Check your APN settings to see if they have ben set correctly. There are tons of tutorials available.

Make sure you have the correct apn
Sent from my Galaxy Note S5

kprice8 said:
Problem is, it requires Verizon SIM. AFAIK TMobile is not as strict as Verizon..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of Verizon's lte phones are SIM unlocked.

joshua.justice said:
All of Verizon's lte phones are SIM unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then perhaps if what you say is true, the OP got a bad device? Or the previous owner(if phone is not new) didn't properly remove their account from the phone and it will not reactivate. I'm at a loss then.

Perhaps the Verizon S5 doesn't support the bands for his carrier.
Sent from my Galaxy Note S5

mexiking713 said:
Perhaps the Verizon S5 doesn't support the bands for his carrier.
Sent from my Galaxy Note S5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think it would still allow for GSM communications even though it's an unrecognized SIM.

joshua.justice said:
I would think it would still allow for GSM communications even though it's an unrecognized SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He said he gets talk and text but no data. Its either the apn or compatability with the radios for data. My wife has the Verizon S5. She gets the unrecognized sim notification also but she has all the features working with a Tmobile sim, including 4gLTE data. I did go ahead and removed the setup wizard apk to permanently remove the notification.
Sent from my Galaxy Note S5

_u2pop_ said:
This Sim Card is from an Unknown Source
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't do much of a search or you would have found other threads where this has been asked and answered.
The message comes from a Verizon setup app that makea no allowamce for the possibility that anyone would use a foreign SIM in a Verizon phone. Freeze or remove the app to supress the message.
.

_u2pop_ said:
hello guys i buy the galaxy s5 (Verizon) on ebay and when i put my sim card in my city in Dominican Republic i get error
"This Sim Card is from an Unknown Source"
i can make a calls and recieve call too is just the mobile data is not working and i tried with many sim cards carriers of my city and not working the internet but my brother have too a Galaxy s5 (T-Mobile) and work fine with my sim card is something about the software of my galaxy i dont know how to fix it or some patch for use GSM fully work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would run the Region unlock from the Market to get rid of that error message, I'm not 100% if it will make the I ternet work since I just tried an active at&t Simcard last night and it was the same case as your but without the error message you got

The same problem with my Kyocera Brigadier. Click.

razzrmaxx said:
I would run the Region unlock from the Market to get rid of that error message, I'm not 100% if it will make the I ternet work since I just tried an active at&t Simcard last night and it was the same case as your but without the error message you got
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe its in the csc.. vzw is cdma and tmobile is gsm isnt it? either way the s5 is sim unlocked but no guarantee everything works with other sims from other carriers

I have the vzn here in mexico and i just deleteted the setup wizard. Amd now i dont have that anoying message. But even i had that messge i had everything working great even data. On cdma and gsm in mexico
Enviado desde mi SM-G900V mediante Tapatalk

With any SIM you put in that's not from Verizon, you will get this message, even if you do a region unlock. As others have stated it has to do with the Setup Wizard. The easiest fix is to freeze the Setup Wizard with Titanium Backup. It doesn't affect the phone's functionality at all. I wouldn't deleted it though. I've frozen mine and I can use any SIM without getting the annoying message.

This is a deterent that Verizon puts on their phones in hopes they won't be used on other carriers. They're factory unlocked.
I've noticed recently that the "add apn" button is gone in Mobile Networks on 4.4.4. You need to go to Network Operators and run a search. Hopefully the APN's will auto configure. If not, check to see if the "add apn" button is enabled. If it's not, you'll need to root the phone, buy APN Manager Pro, and install it as a system app. Then you can enter your APN settings.

I'm having issues with my Verizon s5 on metro pcs but I have no call or sms ability errors msgs are "no service selected network (T-Mobile) not available."

lac1cg said:
I'm having issues with my Verizon s5 on metro pcs but I have no call or sms ability errors msgs are "no service selected network (T-Mobile) not available."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What it is and how to remove it?
Help

I had same issue that my samsung galaxy S3 was showing sim is from unknown source and was not detecting sim then i gone to mobile networks and changed network mode to global and then created access point for my local network ( just visit website of network you are using there you will find Apn setting for android for that network ) and after creating Apn just tick that apn and network internet will also start to work

This sim card is from an unknown source
Ok I had the same problem but I got the majority of it solved. With a few simple phone calls. OK if you already have service with the ability to make calls and text. But can't get any Internet service. All you have to do is call the metropcs provider or go to a store. And ask for the APN code. I chose to call first but every person that answered the phone had a real bad foreign accent. So I went to a store and they did everything for me. No questions asked I even kept my same sim card. Now if you can't make calls or text they will have to take the imei number from that phone and simply add it to there system with sim card. And your good to go. All you have to do is make one call.

European Samsung S5 doesn't want to connect in Canada to Wind Mobile

Hi guys,
I am Italian and I bought an S5 (SM-G900F - international) when I went back in Italy for vacations and I've used the phone for a week there with my italian sim card. Now I am back to Canada. I put my canadian sim card but it doesn't want to find "Wind Mobile" I am in roaming with "Wind away" when I go to select a network provider I can see "BELL", "TELUS" but nothing about "Wind Mobile".
When I bought the phone a samsung representative told me I could have used to phone worldwide. So now I do not understand what the issue is. I do not think it is sim unlocked cause in Italy they do not do that. In addition I do not see any place to put a code to unlock the sim so... I was wondering if there is a region lock and how to solve the problem. Thanks

xxezioxx said:
Hi guys,
I am Italian and I bought an S5 when I went beck in Italy for vacations and I've used the phone for a week there with my italian sim card. Now I am back to Canada. I put my canadian sim card but it doesn't want to find "Wind Mobile" I am in roaming with "Wind away" when I go to select a network provider I can see "BELL", "TELUS" but nothing about "Wind Mobile".
When I bought the phone a samsung representative told me I could have used to phone worldwide. So now I do not understand what the issue is. I do not think it is sim unlocked cause in Italy they do not do that. In addition I do not see any place to put a code to unlock the sim so... I was wondering if there is a region lock and how to solve the problem. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seem like network issue, well why dont you check with your network provider.

Nexus 4 only work with at&t mexico, no other carrier

Hi, i recently buy an used nexus 4 in ebay, simply for nostalgia, so, i´m in Mexico, the nexus 4 that i had 3 year ago, was unlocked, so, i supose this too, when arrive, i connect to wifi immediately without any sim inside, the cellphone request for one upgrade, i accept, after that, i put my sim from Virgin Mobile and the nexus only showed " no simcard inside, only emergency calls.... y try with other carrier, weex mexico (virgin and weex work in Movistar, they are OMV) and the same all.... finally y put a sim from at&t mexico, nothing... with the sim (att) inside, i downgrade to android 4.4.4, when woke up, the nexus 4 with the same result, No simcard, so, the cellphone wasn´t detecting any simcard, after that, it request for the next upgrade, lollipop 5.0.1 that i accept, but in this chance, the nexus with the simcard from ATT showing signal¡¡¡¡¡ the cellphone was working at 100%, i made a couple calls, without problems.
But, i try with the other 2 simcards, and it doesnt detecting, simply show again No simcard, emergency only, so i switch back my Att sim and this is detecting without problems....
I install a rom named Pure Nexus, waiting for work, but the same, only with ATT simcard work, so i downgrade again to 4.4.4 but in this chance with other simcard differnt from AT&T, Virgin mobile.... but nothing, nexus 4 is not detecting any other simcard than at&t¡¡¡¡¡¡
What can i try? could be a nexus 4 locked only for one carrier or what? in google dont appear in blacklist, the imei is good nor corrupted... could be the sim holding?

try going back to stock using the nexus 4 toolkit,then root, and try one of the hybrid models LTE enabler or download the 107-3, if that doesnt work also, then it might be defective.

Zestar said:
try going back to stock using the nexus 4 toolkit,then root, and try one of the hybrid models LTE enabler or download the 107-3, if that doesnt work also, then it might be defective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
excuse me, what is "download the 107-3" ? its a rom? i download 4.4.4 from google,

nismo87 said:
excuse me, what is "download the 107-3" ? its a rom? i download 4.4.4 from google,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use this to go back to stock
http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/
you will get android 5.1.1, you can also install custom recovery and root using it.
then if the sims doesnt work, change the modem using the LTE Enabler you can get it from the Play Store.
it has the modem until version 104-33, but im using another one the 107-33 that i got from
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B77BTW0zStYCZmpPR0xTaWE5OUU
104 33 and 107 33 are hybrid modems, but you can also install stock modems,
the modem is the one that allows you to make calls and use the data channel in your phone
hope that makes sense, let me know how it goes. regards.

Zestar said:
use this to go back to stock
http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/
you will get android 5.1.1, you can also install custom recovery and root using it.
then if the sims doesnt work, change the modem using the LTE Enabler you can get it from the Play Store.
it has the modem until version 104-33, but im using another one the 107-33 that i got from
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B77BTW0zStYCZmpPR0xTaWE5OUU
104 33 and 107 33 are hybrid modems, but you can also install stock modems,
the modem is the one that allows you to make calls and use the data channel in your phone
hope that makes sense, let me know how it goes. regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, i flash EnableNexus4LTE.zip and LTEhybrid33-84 without good news, i have the same issue, only at&t mexico sim is detected and the others no, well, i´m now with 4G LTE but only working in at&t
i don´t know what other things trying in the nexus, seem like only prefer at&t sim and no one else.
Adding information, i have sims from cricket USA and t-mobile USA, i know is not supported in México, but it will be for try to get something like: Sim not activated... or invalid sim, but other different from my nightmare: NO sim, please insert....

SOLVE:
I´ll auto answer... after a lot off attempts, i found the problem is the sim reader, like i posted before, only working with at&t Mexico sim, so, I watch the thickness of this was little bit smaller than others, my "strategy" was try to imitate the fact that at&t sim is making contact gently on pins, i take a 3in1 simcard, and i put the nano sim in micro sim adapter (included in the sim) but not in all (i don know exactly the words in english), so by this waya the nano sim standing on a little bit from microsim adapter.
when i insert the sim by this way an my nexus, and turn on, the cellphone recognize inmediatly the sim, so i found the key of this problem, like i said, the problem here is the sim reader, because, a normal and good sim reader not need this tricks to get signal.......

nismo87 said:
SOLVE:
I´ll auto answer... after a lot off attempts, i found the problem is the sim reader, like i posted before, only working with at&t Mexico sim, so, I watch the thickness of this was little bit smaller than others, my "strategy" was try to imitate the fact that at&t sim is making contact gently on pins, i take a 3in1 simcard, and i put the nano sim in micro sim adapter (included in the sim) but not in all (i don know exactly the words in english), so by this waya the nano sim standing on a little bit from microsim adapter.
when i insert the sim by this way an my nexus, and turn on, the cellphone recognize inmediatly the sim, so i found the key of this problem, like i said, the problem here is the sim reader, because, a normal and good sim reader not need this tricks to get signal.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I glad its working now, you can stay on 5.1.1 with the hybrid modem if you got the 4G signal, or return to 4.4.4 if you want. regards.

Zestar said:
I glad its working now, you can stay on 5.1.1 with the hybrid modem if you got the 4G signal, or return to 4.4.4 if you want. regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah¡¡¡, i´ll install a hybrid modem, but the 4G is simulated or real with this?

nismo87 said:
yeah¡¡¡, i´ll install a hybrid modem, but the 4G is simulated or real with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think is real, speedtest results are much better using 4G. I got around 40mbps.

Zestar said:
i think is real, speedtest results are much better using 4G. I got around 40mbps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just sintall LTEhybrid33-84 and EnableNexus4LTE with TWRP custome recovery, but apparently without any 4G signal, in the menu mobile networks only i can choose 2G & 3G.... but the baseband does change.....
so, i use the trick hidden menu with *#*#4636#*#* and i choose LTE only, only with this my nexus 4 has 4G signal¡¡¡¡¡¡ but, if i come back to mobile networks, again only i can see 2g and 3g and the little 4G on top disappear.... so i need to come back again to hidden menu....
conclusion, mobile networks menu it will prohibited for me :silly:

nismo87 said:
i just sintall LTEhybrid33-84 and EnableNexus4LTE with TWRP custome recovery, but apparently without any 4G signal, in the menu mobile networks only i can choose 2G & 3G.... but the baseband does change.....
so, i use the trick hidden menu with *#*#4636#*#* and i choose LTE only, only with this my nexus 4 has 4G signal¡¡¡¡¡¡ but, if i come back to mobile networks, again only i can see 2g and 3g and the little 4G on top disappear.... so i need to come back again to hidden menu....
conclusion, mobile networks menu it will prohibited for me :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should be able to select "LTE/GSM Auto" that way the phone will switch to GSM when needed.
and the option is only visible under *#*#4636#*#* menu, also, we have to switch to LTE/GSM auto, if the phone is restarted. there is a way to make it persistent, but I haven't tried. i'm fine with it since i don't restart the phone too often.
hope this helps, regards.

Flash Verizon S8 with european firmware

Hi guys,
I bought a Verizon s8 in the states and wanted to use it in Europe. I live in the Netherlands, so I swapped in my Vodafone some instead of using the Verizon Sim and everything works fine besides mobile data. I can not change the APN settings as they are locked. Carrier says it's Verizon though it's using the Vodafone Network.
So I was wondering, can I flash the firmware with a european version to get access to the APN settings and remove the carrier lock?
Best

the s8 verizon is not locked just put your sim card in and thats it.you cannot flash international rom on the us version odin wont let you it will fail even if you somehow made it it will brick the phone.the reason is because the us s8 version uses snapdragon chipset and the s8 international version uses exynos chipset they are completely different.
the option you have is to flash the us unlocked version to the verizon s8 i did on mine i have verizon also.

brigantti said:
the s8 verizon is not locked just put your sim card in and thats it.you cannot flash international rom on the us version odin wont let you it will fail even if you somehow made it it will brick the phone.the reason is because the us s8 version uses snapdragon chipset and the s8 international version uses exynos chipset they are completely different.
the option you have is to flash the us unlocked version to the verizon s8 i did on mine i have verizon also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering is there a way to add more international languages on my s8+. I have managed to change parts of it but on menu and while scrolling in facebook it doesn't recognise i.e some norwegian / turkish letters and doesn't switch language in parts of menu.
The model i have is G955U1 ?
Thanks again.

Tv87 said:
Hi guys,
I bought a Verizon s8 in the states and wanted to use it in Europe. I live in the Netherlands, so I swapped in my Vodafone some instead of using the Verizon Sim and everything works fine besides mobile data. I can not change the APN settings as they are locked. Carrier says it's Verizon though it's using the Vodafone Network.
So I was wondering, can I flash the firmware with a european version to get access to the APN settings and remove the carrier lock?
Best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tv87, I am in the exact situation as you. Have you resolved your problem? If so, what was the solution?
I just moved to the Netherlands a few weeks ago and switched my S8's SIM Card from Verizon to Vodafone. Everything worked fine except for mobile data. The Vodafone rep told me that my APN settings were grayed out / locked; therefore, until they could be edited, my phone would not receive mobile data.

SanDiego31 said:
Tv87, I am in the exact situation as you. Have you resolved your problem? If so, what was the solution?
I just moved to the Netherlands a few weeks ago and switched my S8's SIM Card from Verizon to Vodafone. Everything worked fine except for mobile data. The Vodafone rep told me that my APN settings were grayed out / locked; therefore, until they could be edited, my phone would not receive mobile data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are not locked, the phone still thinks it has a verizon sim and that's why you cant edit the settings, do a complete factory reset.
And anyways, even with editable apn settings you wont get lte, because your s8 is lacking the european lte bands.

nikexv2 said:
They are not locked, the phone still thinks it has a verizon sim and that's why you cant edit the settings, do a complete factory reset.
And anyways, even with editable apn settings you wont get lte, because your s8 is lacking the european lte bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What makes you say that?
https://www.phonearena.com/news/Che...on-T-Mobile-and-Sprint-use-in-the-USA_id77933
Says:
"In Europe, most carriers base their networks on bands 3 (1800 MHz), 7 (2600 MHz) and 20 (800 MHz). China, on the other hand, uses a whole different 4G LTE standard - while the Western world has rolled out FDD-LTE networks, China and large parts of Asia use TDD-LTE."
And several places online show all those as being supported on the g950u.
Example source:
https://www.frequencycheck.com/mode...xy-s8-td-lte-sm-g950u1-sm-g950w-samsung-dream
Am I missing something?

wildermjs8 said:
What makes you say that?
https://www.phonearena.com/news/Che...on-T-Mobile-and-Sprint-use-in-the-USA_id77933
Says:
"In Europe, most carriers base their networks on bands 3 (1800 MHz), 7 (2600 MHz) and 20 (800 MHz). China, on the other hand, uses a whole different 4G LTE standard - while the Western world has rolled out FDD-LTE networks, China and large parts of Asia use TDD-LTE."
And several places online show all those as being supported on the g950u.
Example source:
https://www.frequencycheck.com/mode...xy-s8-td-lte-sm-g950u1-sm-g950w-samsung-dream
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said that because most phones that verizon sells dont have the lte bands for europe, but according to frequency check, it is compatible !
Sorry about the error

nikexv2 said:
I said that because most phones that verizon sells dont have the lte bands for europe, but according to frequency check, it is compatible !
Sorry about the error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe next time check before giving someone advise on a $800 item

nikexv2 said:
They are not locked, the phone still thinks it has a verizon sim and that's why you cant edit the settings, do a complete factory reset.
And anyways, even with editable apn settings you wont get lte, because your s8 is lacking the european lte bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a factory reset while my Vodafone SIM Card was in the phone. I am now getting the following message:
Sorry, we're having trouble activating your phone.
If you're moving your phone number from your old phone to this one, make sure your old phone is turned off.
In addition, I get the following message on the very next screen:
You can set up your phone using Wi-Fi, but you won't be able to make or receive calls until your phone has been activated on the Verizon network.
Is there anyway to unhinge my phone from the Verizon network!? Before I left the United States, Verizon assured me my phone was not locked to their network; however, it appears to be based on the messages received after factory resetting my phone.

SanDiego31 said:
I did a factory reset while my Vodafone SIM Card was in the phone. I am now getting the following message:
Sorry, we're having trouble activating your phone.
If you're moving your phone number from your old phone to this one, make sure your old phone is turned off.
In addition, I get the following message on the very next screen:
You can set up your phone using Wi-Fi, but you won't be able to make or receive calls until your phone has been activated on the Verizon network.
Is there anyway to unhinge my phone from the Verizon network!? Before I left the United States, Verizon assured me my phone was not locked to their network; however, it appears to be based on the messages received after factory resetting my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you can try is to flash the USA csc instead of the VZW one that you have right now.