Hi there guys,
I am not familiar with samsung products and i have a question since i'm thinking on buying one. I was talking to a guy that i have known from ebay. Guy has a S4 for sale. This is the short story.
The guy says he lost his S4 one day, and reported it so. Contract was finishing so he got a new S5. He ended up finding the S4. He says everything is ok with it, works just fine, but he can't make calls or receive texts with it because of the lock. Other than that, the phone is ok.
Here is the catch. Guy is from UK, i am not. He says he read somewhere that the phone is probably locked only in the UK reagion, and that i would be able to send text and make calls without problem in my country.
I've never heard or read anything about this. Am i being played for a fool or should i give it a shot?
Regards
Dial *#06#
If you see numbers of the imei the phone can be unlocked
But that means you cant use calls & sms at all
Unless you unlock the phone
RubbaBand said:
Dial *#06#
If you see numbers of the imei the phone can be unlocked
But that means you cant use calls & sms at all
Unless you unlock the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there RubbaBand,
What do you mean unlocked? The guy says the phone it's unlocked to any network.
But i can ask him to send me a photo of the imei request
Regards
angelicous said:
Hey there RubbaBand,
What do you mean unlocked? The guy says the phone it's unlocked to any network.
But i can ask him to send me a photo of the imei request
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He probably reported it stolen/missing so it's IMEI is banned from all networks. He has to contact police and provider to remove this lock.
S4 has "regionlock" yes but it's unlocked as soon as you put a "correct" SIM in it. For example if I buy a S4 here in SWE it will be locked to Nordic suppliers, sweden, Finland, Norway and so forth. So if I try a US simcard it won't work. But if I first put a Swedish or Finnish simcard the phone will then be able to use any simcard from any region.
Yep thats right
richard-droid said:
He probably reported it stolen/missing so it's IMEI is banned from all networks. He has to contact police and provider to remove this lock.
S4 has "regionlock" yes but it's unlocked as soon as you put a "correct" SIM in it. For example if I buy a S4 here in SWE it will be locked to Nordic suppliers, sweden, Finland, Norway and so forth. So if I try a US simcard it won't work. But if I first put a Swedish or Finnish simcard the phone will then be able to use any simcard from any region.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i saw some videos about the region lock on the Note 3. That isn't totally true, you would be able to use a US card on the phone but you need a code to be able to use it from what i've heard on the videos.
But i guess that's not the problem. So is there anyway to check if the IMEI is blocked? Can the IMEI be blocked only in the UK networks for example?
angelicous said:
Yeah i saw some videos about the region lock on the Note 3. That isn't totally true, you would be able to use a US card on the phone but you need a code to be able to use it from what i've heard on the videos.
But i guess that's not the problem. So is there anyway to check if the IMEI is blocked? Can the IMEI be blocked only in the UK networks for example?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be vendor-locked of course, and then you need a code to make it universal.
The theft-lock should make it banned in any country and supplier.
richard-droid said:
It may be vendor-locked of course, and then you need a code to make it universal.
The theft-lock should make it banned in any country and supplier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok that was my doubt
Is there a website to check if the IMEI is blocked?
What a brilliant mess of terms, locks and understanding...
1. REGION lock: regions to which the Samsung phones/phablets (some only) are limited to are: NA (US, CAN, MEXICO), Asia, Russia, Europe etc, therefore: NO country specific; phone works with all sim cards form any country in the region. Furthermore, first use of appropriate card (for example: phone purchased originally in france would have EU lock, so using Greece or any other European country will be allowed) will unlock this feature, so in case of travel, the simcard from Russia or China can be used.
2. PROVIDER lock (simlock) - phone works with sim card from one provider only. Usually can be unlocked for small fee or free of charge (typically in europe when the contract is ending).
3. IMEI lock - phone is locked as the result of claim to be stolen, lost or damaged, if the replacement phone was given by insurance company or provider. can be legally removed by the legal authorities only.
spamtrash said:
What a brilliant mess of terms, locks and understanding...
1. REGION lock: regions to which the Samsung phones/phablets (some only) are limited to are: NA (US, CAN, MEXICO), Asia, Russia, Europe etc, therefore: NO country specific; phone works with all sim cards form any country in the region. Furthermore, first use of appropriate card (for example: phone purchased originally in france would have EU lock, so using Greece or any other European country will be allowed) will unlock this feature, so in case of travel, the simcard from Russia or China can be used.
2. PROVIDER lock (simlock) - phone works with sim card from one provider only. Usually can be unlocked for small fee or free of charge (typically in europe when the contract is ending).
3. IMEI lock - phone is locked as the result of claim to be stolen, lost or damaged, if the replacement phone was given by insurance company or provider. can be legally removed by the legal authorities only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for my bad language - I do know all of this. I work for the company that first released 4G but I couldn't find the correct wording
spamtrash said:
3. IMEI lock - phone is locked as the result of claim to be stolen, lost or damaged, if the replacement phone was given by insurance company or provider. can be legally removed by the legal authorities only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okey, that's what i was thinking it should happen when you block a phone.
So guy is just trying to fool me probably.
Is there a website where i can check if the IMEI is blocked or not?
angelicous said:
Is there a website where i can check if the IMEI is blocked or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOPE. The problem is: If you'd buy the phone, and if the guy would claim it as stolen/missing - you'd be responsible.
The guy can go to insurer/police, return the new phone, claim that he found the old one and unlock it.... can you imagine that he'd do this?:laugh::laugh:
---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:02 PM ----------
richard-droid said:
Sorry for my bad language - I do know all of this. I work for the company that first released 4G but I couldn't find the correct wording
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody's perfect, so no worry.
I just placed in single post all options to avoid mess.
spamtrash said:
NOPE. The problem is: If you'd buy the phone, and if the guy would claim it as stolen/missing - you'd be responsible.
The guy can go to insurer/police, return the new phone, claim that he found the old one and unlock it.... can you imagine that he'd do this?:laugh::laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eheh that would be a problem... if i wasn't making the deal through ebay and haven't had prof that the guy sold me the phone.
Either way, different countries, i wouldn't have that kind of problems because of a phone.
Related
I m italian and my english is not good
I have buy this phone lock at&t
I have:
Call at&t
send mail at&t
chat at&t
and used this sito for unlock
fastgsm.com
cellunlock.net
and other site no remember
i have buy on two ebay member and always respose:
Hi
We checked the IMEI you provided again and the code is not available for that phone. If you have another phone you would like to unlock, email us the IMEI/Provider and we will try to get the code for that phone.
If not please reply to this email with "REFUND" in the email subject and we will issue refund.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
I can buy universal sim for this phone o pay 50 dollar for unlock.... i m tired!!
Good morning
I dont know what device you bought, however, I bought mine from ATT (sim locked), and got the code from cellunlock for 19$ (with 50% off coupon), and it worked great. Im from Israel and already changed a cellular carrier, so I know for sure that my Atrix is now sim-free.
here is a link for the unlock site:
http://www.cellunlock.net/Default.asp
Hope it helps
I'd advise you to double check the IMEI before sending it to unlockers. It sounds like you've missed a number.
I bought a used phone,and get the unlock through at&t live chat,It didn't work first time, I refresh the gb rom, enter the unlock code, worked.
Moonshield said:
I dont know what device you bought, however, I bought mine from ATT (sim locked), and got the code from cellunlock for 19$ (with 50% off coupon), and it worked great. Im from Israel and already changed a cellular carrier, so I know for sure that my Atrix is now sim-free.
here is a link for the unlock site:
http://www.cellunlock.net/Default.asp
Hope it helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used cellunlock.net (read first post) and yesterday mobileunlocked.co.uk
respose:
Hello,
Your IMEI unlock order for 356381040010*** could not be delivered because no unlock code could be found in the relevant database for the IMEI submitted or unlock tool chosen.
One of our staff will take a look at your order to see if something went wrong or if there's another way we can get your code with this tool. If you don't hear from us within 24 hours, you can consider this order cancelled and your payment will be refunded at that time.
ztxabc said:
I bought a used phone,and get the unlock through at&t live chat,It didn't work first time, I refresh the gb rom, enter the unlock code, worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
used but did not give me the code
First they said ok
Then as imei
said no
posted on facebook a lot with the username "massimo roma"
maajstor said:
I'd advise you to double check the IMEI before sending it to unlockers. It sounds like you've missed a number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
typed dozens of times
almost surrendered to sell
Its not possible that you can't unlock.
I also agree that you wrongly entered imei.
drpratik said:
Its not possible that you can't unlock.
I also agree that you wrongly entered imei.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mr i m italian.... i m not stupid...
my work is repair cellular phone.... my english is not good...but no stupid
*#06* or down battery
send over 10 site....all error???
no kidding
Hay man,
Here is a thought- from where you bought your Atrix? was it from a person or directly from ATT? The only possibility I can think of, as you said you double and triple checked the IMEI, is that the person who sold you the Atrix declared it stolen and ATT locked it (I know that in Israel it happens, why not in US as well... ), that is why your IMEI appears to be incorrect...
Moonshield said:
Hay man,
Here is a thought- from where you bought your Atrix? was it from a person or directly from ATT? The only possibility I can think of, as you said you double and triple checked the IMEI, is that the person who sold you the Atrix declared it stolen and ATT locked it (I know that in Israel it happens, why not in US as well... ), that is why your IMEI appears to be incorrect...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave imei AT&T (mail-facebook-chat)
if it were a stolen cell phone ... I think they would tell me
http://www.ebay.it/itm/140592254650#ht_500wt_1156
maksimo said:
I gave imei AT&T (mail-facebook-chat)
if it were a stolen cell phone ... I think they would tell me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did ATT reply to you?
did they said that the IMEI is correct?
Moonshield said:
What did ATT reply to you?
did they said that the IMEI is correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
via chat and phone respose:
asked unlock....
said ok
asked imei
No I'm sorry....
mail respose:
Hello,
The device that you currently have is not eligible to be unlocked. AT&T is the exclusive carrier of the device and under the existing exclusivity agreement we are unable to provide the device unlock code. In addition, some devices for which AT&T Mobility has exclusive marketing rights are permanently excluded from unlocking obligation.
Kevin- Social Media Manager
Weird...
Never heard this kind of stuff....
I don't know what you can do, maybe ask them if it will sometime be possible to unlock it, if not then sell it...
Sorry
Guys, yesterday I was able to unlock my s5 that my brother bought from t-mobile in the US and brought to me to use it with brazilian carriers.
I purchased an unlocking code from Cellf Services for about $35, I paid + $5 for the instant service they provide which they promise to delivery the code in less than 30 minutes. I indeed received mine in less than 30 minutes. :good:
They sent me an email telling the codes were ready and gave me an url. I was impressed. I thought I was buying only the network unlocking code, but they gave me NETWORK, PROVIDER, SUBPROVIDER and DEFREEZE codes.
Somewhere in the site, I think in the terms and conditions, they say if you record a video of the unlocking proccess, upload to youtube or to metacafe, and send them the link they'll refund you. That might have been the first terms and conditions I have ever read in my life... :cyclops:
Well, I didn't record the video of the proccess because I was at work and was too worried about the possible region lock :crying:
Whatever, I inserted the non suported sim card I wanted to use, booted the beast and was propted for the "SIM network unlock pin", typed the network code provided by cellfservices and boom, unlocked :victory: . Worked like a charm. No region lock in my case, or maybe it's the same region since it's south america... who knows...
As of the other codes, I didn't test them, only needed the network one, so I don't know if they'll work, probably will...
Now I'm happy like a chick in the dumpster.
Alande Amorim said:
Guys, yesterday I was able to unlock my s5 that my brother bought from t-mobile in the US and brought to me to use it with brazilian carriers.
I purchased an unlocking code from Cellf Services for about $35, I paid + $5 for the instant service they provide which they promise to delivery the code in less than 30 minutes. I indeed received mine in less than 30 minutes. :good:
They sent me an email telling the codes were ready and gave me an url. I was impressed. I thought I was buying only the network unlocking code, but they gave me NETWORK, PROVIDER, SUBPROVIDER and DEFREEZE codes.
Somewhere in the site, I think in the terms and conditions, they say if you record a video of the unlocking proccess, upload to youtube or to metacafe, and send them the link they'll refund you. That might have been the first terms and conditions I have ever read in my life... :cyclops:
Well, I didn't record the video of the proccess because I was at work and was too worried about the possible region lock :crying:
Whatever, I inserted the non suported sim card I wanted to use, booted the beast and was propted for the "SIM network unlock pin", typed the network code provided by cellfservices and boom, unlocked :victory: . Worked like a charm. No region lock in my case, or maybe it's the same region since it's south america... who knows...
As of the other codes, I didn't test them, only needed the network one, so I don't know if they'll work, probably will...
Now I'm happy like a chick in the dumpster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You think, every SIM card even in other region, it will work? I'm planning to buy one and send it to the Philippines.
Firstly you have to make a minimim 5 minutes call from country where you bought your phone. After then regional lock will be removed
hemander said:
You think, every SIM card even in other region, it will work? I'm planning to buy one and send it to the Philippines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say. I've searched extensively about the region lock on the S5 before purchasing the sim unlocking code. Cellunlocker, one of the unlocking sites I found, explicitly stated that "*All USA and European Carriers ARE subject to Region Locking". However, saying they're 'subject to region locking' doesn't mean they definetly are.
There's a BGR.com article (google 'bgr galaxy s5 region lock') confirming the region lock of the european S5 with a picture of one of the box stickers warning it.
Are you planning to buy one in USA?
Mine I'm almost sure wasn't region locked. I am not sure if mine came with it since my sister in law opened the box to avoid paying customs duty and was missing one of the stickers, but if there was one of this sticker, she wouldn't have bought it.
The official way to region unlock the S5 would be making calls that sum 5 minutes on the region it was purchased.
Check the box for this sticker prior buying. If you can, use the device for some time before sending it.
If you do this -- I give you no warrant -- I think you should be ok... I personally would go for it.
In my case, I might have been lucky, else I would have to wait for some weeks (maybe months) until someone managed to hack it.
Alande Amorim said:
I can't say. I've searched extensively about the region lock on the S5 before purchasing the sim unlocking code. Cellunlocker, one of the unlocking sites I found, explicitly stated that "*All USA and European Carriers ARE subject to Region Locking". However, saying they're 'subject to region locking' doesn't mean they definetly are.
There's a BGR.com article (google 'bgr galaxy s5 region lock') confirming the region lock of the european S5 with a picture of one of the box stickers warning it.
Are you planning to buy one in USA?
Mine I'm almost sure wasn't region locked. I am not sure if mine came with it since my sister in law opened the box to avoid paying customs duty and was missing one of the stickers, but if there was one of this sticker, she wouldn't have bought it.
The official way to region unlock the S5 would be making calls that sum 5 minutes on the region it was purchased.
Check the box for this sticker prior buying. If you can, use the device for some time before sending it.
If you do this -- I give you no warrant -- I think you should be ok... I personally would go for it.
In my case, I might have been lucky, else I would have to wait for some weeks (maybe months) until someone managed to hack it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Am planning to buy another here. I just wanted to know, where did your sister-in-law bought that? Maybe, that'll also work when unlock and bring to Philippines.
Unlocked, working, but then show "NO SERVICE". LTE Ok, but no signal, no phone calls.
Maybe you guys from international forum can help me find a solution for this.
Here is the scenario:
I bought the phone from a Swappa Seller. Phone is t-mobile branded and was in the box, Brand new.
http://swappa.com/listing/ZPB505/view
Brand New Samsung Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910T White ( UNLOCKED) 32GB
Phone is brand new in its original box. The phone has never been used. All Accessories are still sealed in plastic - The phone model is SM-N910T. This is a great deal on a BRAND new - NEVER USED phone!
This phone is guaranteed to work with AT&T. There is no regional lock whatsoever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Achraf G. Seller - Nov 03, 2014 - 11:32 PM
You will have to add $20 for one day-shipping. Let me know if that works for you. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anybody tell me why a T-mobile unlocked phone won't work with T-mobile?
I used the phone on my carrier and it was flawless. Everything was fine till suddenly i lost phone signal. It always show "NO SERVICE" message now, but strangely I still have 4G Connection. I can use the phone to navigate, not to make phone calls.
So I swapped carriers, and the phone was working ok, phone calls, data connection.... then the thing happened again: no service, but i have 4g LTE connection.
Inserted a third sim card, from another carrier. Phone is fine, workin as it should! But this is not my main sim card and i would like it very much to work with ANY carrier. Do you guys have any idea what the problem is? Factory reset did not work at all. For the others sim cards, it recognize the network for a second and then "no service". How can i have data connection if there is "no service"?
Im really desperate because i payed a lot for this note 4... Maybe if i root the phone and flash another ROM?
help please!
Try reflashing it with stock firmware. I don't know if this is a sign of phone being reported as stolen or lost.
Maybe some more expert can answer that as I'm not from US.
Phone might be blacklisted only on T-Mobile could take longer until it goes on us canada blacklist
Same problem here. Bought the device over the internet in Norway. Seems to be it is blocked on one network but the other is working. Anyway to fix that?
Pretty much the only way would be to write new imei which is illegal.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
darekz said:
Pretty much the only way would be to write new imei which is illegal.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how?! lol
colliderz said:
Same problem here. Bought the device over the internet in Norway. Seems to be it is blocked on one network but the other is working. Anyway to fix that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still have the problem?
edgarzin said:
still have the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sir. The IMEI is blocked by the provider.
colliderz said:
Yes sir. The IMEI is blocked by the provider.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? what about the others providers?
in my country there are 4, i cant use in two of them. Called the costumer service, they said my IMEI is OK. If it wasnt, i could not use it in all carriers. Damn it.. have no idea what to do... Im think about sueing SAMSUNG and force them to give me a new device.
If it is bought from swappa, it must have passed their imei test, which means it is not blacklisted and already been paid off. This is strange, but contact seller and swappa immediately...
===========
Edit:
I have just read the conversation at swappa, and the seller seems to be hiding something based on his answer to the other person who asked a question.... he said this::
ms1121 - Nov 03, 2014 - 10:18 AM
it is unlocked to work with T-Mobile?
Achraf G. Seller - Nov 03, 2014 - 10:48 AM
No. Sorry. It will work with all other GSM carriers though. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xdm9mm said:
If it is bought from swappa, it must have passed their imei test, which means it is not blacklisted and already been paid off. This is strange, but contact seller and swappa immediately...
===========
Edit:
I have just read the conversation at swappa, and the seller seems to be hiding something based on his answer to the other person who asked a question.... he said this::
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i noticed that.. that is very strange... what do you think the problem could be?
edgarzin said:
i noticed that.. that is very strange... what do you think the problem could be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First ask swappa what was the IMEI number that the seller submitted, check that with the IMEI on your hpone. If there is a discrepancy, then it means the seller submitted an IMEI which is already paid off, then he sent you the NEW one, which he MIGHT have declared lost or stolen, hence the BLOCK.
Good luck
xdm9mm said:
First ask swappa what was the IMEI number that the seller submitted, check that with the IMEI on your hpone. If there is a discrepancy, then it means the seller submitted an IMEI which is already paid off, then he sent you the NEW one, which he MIGHT have declared lost or stolen, hence the BLOCK.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you send a message on the sale page? if you did, thanks, swappa answered me, device is blacklisted by T-Mobile. I just dont understand how can i use the phone on others providers like VIVO and OI, TIM and CLARO dont accept the phone in their network, i wonder if they have a bussiness relationship with TMobile.
I will contact Tmo and ask what can i do about this.
edgarzin said:
did you send a message on the sale page? if you did, thanks, swappa answered me, device is blacklisted by T-Mobile. I just dont understand how can i use the phone on others providers like VIVO and OI, TIM and CLARO dont accept the phone in their network, i wonder if they have a bussiness relationship with TMobile.
I will contact Tmo and ask what can i do about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I did.. what did swappa say? Are they helping you? Also try to claim on paypal if you still have the window...
We have 2 major networks in Norway. It was blocked on the one for like 1 month and afterwards other operator also blocked the IMEI. The only solution is to change IMEI or the motherboard. Unfortunately there is no way out of this.
Friend is selling his brand new phone he bought with contract from EE UK a couple of weeks back.
EE has a policy of 6 months minimum before they will unlock it themselves.
Can I just go through an unlock code website/ebay/ corner shop to get the phone unlocked? If so,what do you recommend?
The phone will aslo be used in another country,no the UK.
Thank you !
root and flash right firmware
are your friend really buy it?
hear stolen phones
Any other say other than root? Online codes seem nice and easy.
If i were to factory reset it later on,will i lose the unlock?
Thank you again!
No matter what sim card I try i keep getting Not Registered on Network. Any help?
66yyhhnn66 said:
No matter what sim card I try i keep getting Not Registered on Network. Any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have tried a ee sim and it says not registered on network, this means it is blocked and has either been reported lost or stolen, this means there is nothing you can do to make that phone work on a network.
If the phone does work and can make and recieve calls on a ee sim then all you need to do to unlock is to put a ee pay as you go sim in and fill in the form from the link provided. The unlock costs 9 pound direct from EE.
Here's a link: http://ee.co.uk/help/contact-us/phone---devices/unlocking-my-phone/unlock-my-phone
amar95353 said:
If you have tried a ee sim and it says not registered on network, this means it is blocked and has either been reported lost or stolen, this means there is nothing you can do to make that phone work on a network.
If the phone does work and can make and recieve calls on a ee sim then all you need to do to unlock is to put a ee pay as you go sim in and fill in the form from the link provided. The unlock costs 9 pound direct from EE.
Here's a link: http://ee.co.uk/help/contact-us/phone---devices/unlocking-my-phone/unlock-my-phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What if I were to use it in another country? Would it work by any chance ?
66yyhhnn66 said:
What if I were to use it in another country? Would it work by any chance ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should work outside UK.
66yyhhnn66 said:
Friend is selling his brand new phone he bought with contract from EE UK a couple of weeks back.
EE has a policy of 6 months minimum before they will unlock it themselves.
Can I just go through an unlock code website/ebay/ corner shop to get the phone unlocked? If so,what do you recommend?
The phone will aslo be used in another country,no the UK.
Thank you !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just unlock from EE for free they wont charge you. You can unlock via third party if you wont but it wont be blocked or anything unless you report it stolen to them or you stop paying the contract bill for that phone
66yyhhnn66 said:
What if I were to use it in another country? Would it work by any chance ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will work very will outside of the UK even if it is blocked.
---------- Post added at 02:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 AM ----------
v1rk said:
Just unlock from EE for free they wont charge you. You can unlock via third party if you wont but it wont be blocked or anything unless you report it stolen to them or you stop paying the contract bill for that phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock with ee is only free after you have had the phone and contract for a minimum of 6 months.
EE charge normally, but any website should be able to unlock a device for a fee. Agree with what people are saying, though, it's almost certainly stolen if an EE sim doesn't work in it.
Unless EE have changed their policy recently, the will charge you to unlock even if you are outside of contract. They tried to charge me when I unlocked my S4. I unlocked through the EE app, and I argued that the information that I was to be charged was outside of the bounds of my screen (I had to scroll all the way down to see that I was about to be charged) so they wavered the fee.
EE Unlock Link
It's not stolen. It was either reported stolen or stopped paying contract. Probably the latter.
The phone is a gift for someone outside the UK. I only want to know if he is going to be able to use it with no problems.
Hi together,
due to the great price for the phone via Sprint, there are several pretty cheap ones also on ebay. I want to use the phone only outside the US (Germany) - is there any problem when it is locked to Sprint? Few years ago i imported a Verizon Locked Photon Q, and as i remember it was fully usable outside the US.
The ebay listing also includes the IMEI of the phones, and when i check them, they are "Clean on Sprint". But does that mean that they are locked? And if so, can i somehow unlock the phone, when i am in Germany and not on a Sprint Network?
Sorry about the confusion, i dont really get you phone locking stuff in the US
Best regards and thank you so much in advance!
If the phone is truly still locked to Sprint, it probably won't work with any other SIM card (the phone will just report Invalid SIM). You could look at ting.com/byod and check the IMEI there to see if it reports clear GSM / CDMA capabilities. If that shows up OK, then it at least doesn't have any financial obligation, and it should work.
Are you sure the phones are still Sprint Locked? Or was the seller just indicating they were Sprint variant phones, and were unlocked?
kbonnel said:
If the phone is truly still locked to Sprint, it probably won't work with any other SIM card (the phone will just report Invalid SIM). You could look at ting.com/byod and check the IMEI there to see if it reports clear GSM / CDMA capabilities. If that shows up OK, then it at least doesn't have any financial obligation, and it should work.
Are you sure the phones are still Sprint Locked? Or was the seller just indicating they were Sprint variant phones, and were unlocked?
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Thank you so much for the fast reply :good:
- I checked multiple lisitings from this seller at ting.com/byod, and they all say its compatible with ting/gsm/cdma. So if i get this right, the phone itself should not be locked then, because its neither stolen nor in financial trouble?
- i dont know if i am able to post ebay links here, one of the lisitings from this seller is 332465030454 - the seller just says that the buyer itself should check the IMEI. But as i understood it, i cant check if the phone is net/simlocked to sprint, just if its "legal"..
regards
Kampfgans said:
Thank you so much for the fast reply :good:
- I checked multiple lisitings from this seller at ting.com/byod, and they all say its compatible with ting/gsm/cdma. So if i get this right, the phone itself should not be locked then, because its neither stolen nor in financial trouble?
- i dont know if i am able to post ebay links here, one of the lisitings from this seller is 332465030454 - the seller just says that the buyer itself should check the IMEI. But as i understood it, i cant check if the phone is net/simlocked to sprint, just if its "legal"..
regards
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I really wish I was able to give you a definitive answer, esp. since you are in Germany, as the return capabilities are a lot harder since it takes a while to ship back and forth. I was reviewing the company's website to see where they get their inventory, but couldn't really come up with a clear answer. They do indicate in the FAQ that they offer a service to test the ESN for a fee, but it doesn't go into much detail. Maybe give them a call, or send the seller a message on ebay to see if they are willing to pop in a non-sprint sim to verify it at least doesn't report back invalid - sim.
kbonnel said:
I really wish I was able to give you a definitive answer, esp. since you are in Germany, as the return capabilities are a lot harder since it takes a while to ship back and forth. I was reviewing the company's website to see where they get their inventory, but couldn't really come up with a clear answer. They do indicate in the FAQ that they offer a service to test the ESN for a fee, but it doesn't go into much detail. Maybe give them a call, or send the seller a message on ebay to see if they are willing to pop in a non-sprint sim to verify it at least doesn't report back invalid - sim.
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Just to let you know about the outcome - they cannot guarantee that it is unlocked
Hopefully there will be another Amazon Deal or somebody doesnt need his F&F code
Kampfgans said:
Just to let you know about the outcome - they cannot guarantee that it is unlocked
Hopefully there will be another Amazon Deal or somebody doesnt need his F&F code
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So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany
saschb2b said:
So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany
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Assume anything bought from Sprint that the seller can't verify was active on Sprint's network for 50 days as unusable.
Sprint will only generate ISU (international SIM Unlock) that is permanent after a device has been on the network for 50 days.
This policy is strictly enforced and even if the device is paid off, it does not matter.
Hello guys and happy new year.
I'm planning to buy the essential phone from ebay. I have found some quite interesting offers from sprint locked devices. My question is the device will work at cosmote greece?
„Invalid sim“
I bought an essential phone from USA a few days ago and it is sim locked for sprint and I have not found any way to make it simlock free.
It says invalid sim.
I can use it as an expensive MP3 player or camera or when using WiFi.
But not as a telephone.
I asked the seller for help. He said he would call sprint.
I was able to flash Oreo beta2 Android 8.
In fast boot mode the mobile said it was a sprint variant.
I guess only sprint can made it sim lock free with a code.
If there is no solution I will maybe have to send it back.
What a pity situation. Why is essential phone not selling the phone for Europe ?
That's what I was afraid about. Thought a proper rom flash could remove the lock. But it seems you can't do it yourself. Essential will bring it to Europe. But when is not sure.
saschb2b said:
So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany
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As already mentioned above -the seller could not guarantee it to me that i will be able to use it.
Finally, i ended up ordering it directly from Essential. Have it since 2 weeks now, works great on Telekom!
Hi, I am in Ireland and got a PH-1 which was locked by Sprint but i contacted them and they told me they have unlocked it for me and i can use it in Ireland but i am actually not able to use it on any network here, it just says Invalid Sim every time i put the sim card in.
Can anyone help me please?
forget sprint in europe!
In Germany it does not work with "Sprint" Locked Essential Phone.
Sam.anas said:
Hi, I am in Ireland and got a PH-1 which was locked by Sprint but i contacted them and they told me they have unlocked it for me and i can use it in Ireland but i am actually not able to use it on any network here, it just says Invalid Sim every time i put the sim card in.
Can anyone help me please?
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The only way to unlock it is with a Sprint SIM and they update the the phone or enter in a code.
Heloo i bought essential ph-1 amd it says invalid sim card. Im from georgia and want to work gsm carrier. Can i unlock the phone?