Database Users

[Q] Is SIM unlock permanent?

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:

[Q] Help getting a GN3 ready for use in another country (CAN to USA)

Hey XDA family!
I have just received my Note 3 today (from Asurion's insurance plan, i had the Note II and they had no more in stock so sent me a Note III) it is model SM-N900W8 with the Canadian carrier Telus.
I'm reading on here that these come unlocked for Canadian carriers only.
My question is what would be the steps to follow to get this bad boy working with a Pay-As-You-Go card when i go to Florida in 2 weeks?
From what i'm reading it seems i would need to Root then im not sure if i need a RegionUnlock (which i red on here that it might not work on the Canadian version?) or a SimUnlock?
I was pretty savvy with Note 2 when came down to rooting and installing custom ROM's but it seems alot as change with this recent Note 3.
Any help/tips/suggestions/comments/hugs are appreciated!
Thanks in advance

MTLean said:
...
My question is what would be the steps to follow to get this bad boy working with a Pay-As-You-Go card when i go to Florida in 2 weeks?
From what i'm reading it seems i would need to Root then im not sure if i need a RegionUnlock (which i red on here that it might not work on the Canadian version?) or a SimUnlock?
I was pretty savvy with Note 2 when came down to rooting and installing custom ROM's but it seems alot as change with this recent Note 3.
Any help/tips/suggestions/comments/hugs are appreciated!
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your phone is carrier-locked (and for instance it does not work with another Canadian carrier) then you do not necessarily need to root it - you definitely need to buy an unlock code.
If your phone is region-locked for Canada (and not for US + Canada as i would normally expect) then you need to root and then run RegionLockAway.
Either way if your current firmware is MJ3 or before (you can see it with *#1234# ) it is recommended to root using Universal Root De La Vega (URDLV - which will keep your Knox flag 0x0) and then upgrade to the latest ROM version using Mobile Odin Pro. Upgrading using Samsung OTA (or your carrier OTA) will also update your bootloader and URDLV will no longer be possible (with Knox flag 0x0).

xclub_101 said:
If your phone is carrier-locked (and for instance it does not work with another Canadian carrier) then you do not necessarily need to root it - you definitely need to buy an unlock code.
If your phone is region-locked for Canada (and not for US + Canada as i would normally expect) then you need to root and then run RegionLockAway.
Either way if your current firmware is MJ3 or before (you can see it with *#1234# ) it is recommended to root using Universal Root De La Vega (URDLV - which will keep your Knox flag 0x0) and then upgrade to the latest ROM version using Mobile Odin Pro. Upgrading using Samsung OTA (or your carrier OTA) will also update your bootloader and URDLV will no longer be possible (with Knox flag 0x0).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the resumé!
I am still not sure if its region locked or/and carrier locked. I guess my best bet will be to try my buddy's SIM when i get down to Florida and see what the issue is (if any) when i put that card in my phone.
Unless there was a way to know right off the bat?
Thanks for the firmware tip i will check it out and also the URDLV method which i had not yet red about for rooting. Plenty of reading awaits!

MTLean said:
Thanks for the resumé!
I am still not sure if its region locked or/and carrier locked. I guess my best bet will be to try my buddy's SIM when i get down to Florida and see what the issue is (if any) when i put that card in my phone.
Unless there was a way to know right off the bat?
Thanks for the firmware tip i will check it out and also the URDLV method which i had not yet red about for rooting. Plenty of reading awaits!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, a very safe method to see if it is carrier locked would be to test locally with a Canadian SIM from a different carrier (for instance from a friend).
There was a code to check phone lock status *#7465625# but it seems it no longer works. Also there was a program called Galaxsim unlock but it requires root to read the status and you need root and to buy the pro version to unlock (which might not work on Note3).
Either way it might be relevant to look at the result of *#1234# and see the software versions.

Canadian Note 3's are not region locked. They are carrier locked to the big 3 i.e. Rogers/Fido Telus/Koodo Bell/virgin will work but not across companies.
There are a number of companies that will sell you a Sim unlock code for about 20$ that will allow you to use the phone on a different carrier.
No root required

xclub_101 said:
If your phone is carrier-locked (and for instance it does not work with another Canadian carrier) then you do not necessarily need to root it - you definitely need to buy an unlock code.
If your phone is region-locked for Canada (and not for US + Canada as i would normally expect) then you need to root and then run RegionLockAway.
Either way if your current firmware is MJ3 or before (you can see it with *#1234# ) it is recommended to root using Universal Root De La Vega (URDLV - which will keep your Knox flag 0x0) and then upgrade to the latest ROM version using Mobile Odin Pro. Upgrading using Samsung OTA (or your carrier OTA) will also update your bootloader and URDLV will no longer be possible (with Knox flag 0x0).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xclub_101 said:
Well, a very safe method to see if it is carrier locked would be to test locally with a Canadian SIM from a different carrier (for instance from a friend).
There was a code to check phone lock status *#7465625# but it seems it no longer works. Also there was a program called Galaxsim unlock but it requires root to read the status and you need root and to buy the pro version to unlock (which might not work on Note3).
Either way it might be relevant to look at the result of *#1234# and see the software versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the update i didnt have time to check but i will update thread when i get my FW version.
Canadoc said:
Canadian Note 3's are not region locked. They are carrier locked to the big 3 i.e. Rogers/Fido Telus/Koodo Bell/virgin will work but not across companies.
There are a number of companies that will sell you a Sim unlock code for about 20$ that will allow you to use the phone on a different carrier.
No root required
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the precision my friend

need a bit of help with a carrier unlock

hey there.
so short version.
i got a sprint s7, apparently it was not carrier unlocked when i got it. sprint says they will only unlock it if it's on an active service in good standing which i dont plan on getting on sprint at all. so i need a trusted place to get the unlock codes for it please, the cheaper the better because of my situation.
longer version.
my dad has early onset dementia so we had to take his phone from him and close his account. it's been a while and i found his S7 sitting there not doing anything and i need a new phone to put on my Verizon prepaid plan so after looking on the s7 the hardware is all the same just the firmware blocks out whichever bands each carrier chooses. so i need to go tomorrow and get one of Verizon sims to be ready so when i get the unlock code i can put it in right away and make sure i dont receive that sim error. or do i need to flash to the verizion firmware before i try to carrier unlock it?
any and all help is really appreciated as our family is really struggling atm and not having to purchase a new phone would save us alot of money.
p.s. device info is sm-g930p
baseband g930pvps4bqc1
android version 7

Here's a link to the remote unlocking service I used to have my 930P unlocked: https://www.gsmzambia.com/product/samsung-sprint/
You'll have to install Teamviewer and let them remotely control your PC to perform the unlock. I found them to be very reputable and helpful before, during and after the sale.
After unlocking, I'd recommend using Odin (https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24591023225177749) to flash the "U" firmware: http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=52EF42AE925C11E7963AFA163EE8F90B
With U firmware, you won't have any of the Sprint bloatware that came preloaded on the phone, and it'll automatically detect and apply the proper settings for whichever SIM card you insert. If you don't want to flash alternate firmware, you can stick with what's already on the phone; you'll just have to manually enter the Verizon APN settings.

New Owner of S8 Firmware/CSC Questions

I attempted to research these quite a bit but couldn't find answers to these specific questions so I'm hoping someone's able to help me out. I have an unlocked S8+ coming tomorrow that I plan to use on my existing Verizon line. I'm reading about carrier firmware and CSC codes and have a few questions.
1) Am I required to change either the firmware or CSC to use it on Verizon or can I just pop in my (already activated) SIM and be good to go?
2) What are the pros/cons of changing or not changing them to Verizon before setting it up? (ie. bloatware, wifi calling, etc.)
3) Does flashing either change whether I receive OTAs from the carrier or are carrier updates released just for their own branded devices and either way I'd have to wait for Samsung for unlocked updates?
Any help, whether answers or a simple link to an existing answer I somehow didn't find, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

How to Carrier / imei unlock the Huawei Ascend XT ?

Hello,
I just acquired a new 'Huawei Ascend XT' phone which is sim locked to AT&T. I am currently in the process of unlocking the boot loader and rooting the phone.
I was wondering is there any tool available to Carrier / imei unlock this phone after I have rooted it (or may be even befor rooting it)?
Thanks.

I'm fairly certain you just need to change the apn settings manually.. need to do something weird to bring up the option to add/edit, believe it's holding down the tasks button

Without being carrier unlocked, the phone can only be used on AT&T Prepaid, AT&T, or AT&T based MVNOs. These days AT&T won't give you an unlock code unless you use the phone on AT&T Prepaid for 6 months. You can check eBay to see if any unlockers will sell you an unlock code for a few bucks. Only buy from sellers who have a money back guarantee if their unlock code fails.
rhoniel said:
Hello,
I just acquired a new 'Huawei Ascend XT' phone which is sim locked to AT&T. I am currently in the process of unlocking the boot loader and rooting the phone.
I was wondering is there any tool available to Carrier / imei unlock this phone after I have rooted it (or may be even befor rooting it)?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Bought 2nd-Hand
I would like to ask if there is any way to carrier unlock. I bought this phone for 20$ on offer up. But when I contacted at&t to request unlock they said it has to be used for 6 months. For me that does not work, as I am already with tMobile and bought the XT for a second phone because of the large device support. I actually love the phone, but as is it is just sitting around. If anyone has or has heard of a way to accomplish an unlock please p.m. Me.or answer in forum. Thanks in advance.
Ps. phone is already bootloader unlocked and rooted with magisk 14.0. And latest TwRP.