Hi all,
I just recently unlocked my phone and was having a hard time to find related information for my specific model when I was doing research. I believed the blame goes to different S4 model; huge variety of stock&custom firmware; carrier/ location differences; unlock method and various success rate. Therefore, I would like to create a thread and let all user who has unlocked their GS4 to share their experience (in a very brief form) by filling up the following survey. Your accurate information will definitely help future GS4 user who needs their phone unlock.
*** Please copy and paste the following and fill in your information ***
My Info:
GS4 Model: e.g. i9505
Phone Carrier: e.g. Voda
"Original" Baseband: Type *#1234# to find, put the last 3 letters/#s here. Example: I337MVLUFNC1, only NC1 here. (Rooted?)
"Current" Firmware: Are you on custom firmware? If so which one? Also put which firmware it based on like above.
Unlock Method:
Successfully unlock with Free Method: Yes/ No. (Unlock your phone without paying is consider free; so anything from secret code UTMS way to Chainfire Regionlock Away is consider free). Put down what you use/ try and if that method is successful.
Successfully unlock with Paid Method: Yes/ No. (Unlock your phone by paying; feel free to put down which website you use and how much you paid)
Do you need to "ROLL-BACK" from custom rom to stock rom: Yes/ No.
Did you test your "unlocked" phone after: Yes/No. How?
:good::good::good: Hit "Thanks" if this mini survey helps you :good::good::good:
My Info:
GS4 Model:i337m
Phone Carrier:Rogers Wireless (Canada)
"Original" Baseband:NC1 (Rooted with CF-Auto)
"Current" Firmware:Maple Leaf (Based on NC1)
Unlock Method:
Successfully unlock with Free Method: No. Tried the secret menu code method (UTMS) and also Chainfire RegionLock Away. Both doesn't work.
Successfully unlock with Paid Method: Yes. Pick cellunlocker.net because the price is reasonable ($15USD), and also the only website that did not request you to roll back to stock rom/ unrooted.
Do you need to "ROLL-BACK" from custom rom to stock rom: No. Even though I see many users has failed to unlock until they roll-back to stock; I was able to unlock my phone on custom rom.
Did you test your "unlocked" phone after: Yes. I put in a HK sim card before unlock, and my phone asked for "Network Unlock Code". After unlock I put in the same HK sim, and my phone did not ask for the NUC, and has a Roaming signal icon on status bar, and display the correct carrier name in setting.
Related
Sup all...
Simple enough question. I've spent many days doing searches here in XDA and google but haven't been able to find a clear answer. Or maybe I didn't look hard enough or understand the responses to others questions regarding this topic.
I recently got an S4 (i337m) from Telus. From what I understand, this is the Canadian model (jfltecan). I am not sure if it is unlocked or not however. I know that I should just use a sim from a dif carrier to test, but I don't have access to one at the moment. No one I know has a micro sim that is with a carrier I could use to test with.
I've installed TWRP and flashed Slimbean and afterward I flashed Paranoidandroid roms successfully if that is some sort of indication as to the lock/unlock state of the phone.
So is there any other way to tell? Is there a method of unlocking this phone other than using the *#0011# method or similar methods that I've tried and do not work. Is an Odin method available?
Thanks
If you got it from Telus, directly, 99.99% it's locked
The only way to confirm is by popping in a SIM from another carrier.
I think it depends on how u buy the device. I think if you get the phone on a contract, its locked, but i think if you purchase the device for full price, it should be unlocked. That's atleast how i think it works.
You are most likely sim locked. There is no Odin method to unlock. You should really just buy a code to unlock. Be very careful using the free unlock methods. After a number of attempts the phone will lock itself so you'll never be able to unlock. Others have also messed up their phones trying it.
Buy a code or even safer, FastGSM.com USB cable method to unlock
I am also on telus, if this works like the s3 unlock you need to be on the stock Rom, can be rooted but must be stock.check the s4 thread to be sure though. You can go back to the custom Rom after you unlock and the phone should still be unlocked
Your phone's boot loader is unlocked. Meaning we can install a custom recovery and install a custom ROM very easily. Your phone is Sim locked if you bought it from telus. This means you cannot insert a Sim card in your phone unless its telus. Any other carrier will not work. You can unlock your phone through Telus. They have restrictions on this however. You're better off buying an unlock code off the internet. Its fast and most likely cheaper and no it does not void warranty. Hope this helps
Thanks!
Just wanted to thank everyone for the replies/info.
My phone was sim locked. I did the easy method of purchasing an unlock code from a local shop here. All is good. I can use the phone on any supported GSM carrier and I am able to flash custom roms and what not.
Thanks again to all for the info. Much appreciated and it helped me increase my understanding on this topic.
-Talabis
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
Hi guys,
I read a couple of threads and tried a couple of things and didn't work... Im trying to sim unlock my Galaxy S4 GT I9500 on stock android 4.3 not rooted and is not working.
I read about a code using *#0011# code and didn't work.. Post was not specific about using no sim, original carrier sim or desire carrier sim.. anyway I tried all and was a failure.
I read another thread about flashing a modem and downgrading the firmware but wasnt specific enough about how to do it and the requirements (android version, rooted?, how to do it, etc)
I try one of those "code pages" and even they couldnt help me. My carrier is Movistar in Nicaragua.
Is there is any easy way to SIM unlock my phone? maybe by just installing a pre-rooted, pre-unlocked rom? or is there is a page/guide/video with specific instruction on how to do it?
thanks in advance.
I think the step by step instructions on SIM unlocking in the main thread on the topic are pretty specific. They don't mention downgrading the device modem through Odin however because they were written before Samsung patched the exploits that allowed the SIM unlock to work.
Downgrading the modem to an Android 4.2.2 version in the AP/PDA slot in Odin is necessary to run either unlock metbod. However, you can really mess things up trying to unlock if you aren't careful, especially with the service menu exploit.
Hi. I'm trying to unlock my S4 to use another sim. It's locked to EE. It's now been 2 years so I've got the S6 today. Giving the S4 to my partner.
I tried the *#0011# method. Can't get to the UMTS menu. Tried the Region Unlocker App without success. I tried downloading a random 4.2.2 ROM from the development section to access the Service Menu and I'm now stuck in a boot loop. I used to have 4.4.2 installed.
Please help?
Unlocking only works on stock ROMs. If you downloaded a Jellybean ROM from the development section, you're doing it wrong.
While the unlock methods used here do work if the directions are followed correctly, there's no guarantee the unlock will be retained with ROM updates or baseband changes. You're better off asking EE for an unlock code, or buying an unlock code. Unlike the unlock methods here, once that code is input, it unlock the device for good.
Questions belong in Q&A, not General.
Thank you.
Hi,
I need to SIM unlock my N9005. The app "GalaxSim Unlock" says "Your device should be unlockabale if you downgrade your baseband to MJ2 or before". I live in Austria (Europe).
I'm familiar with changing the baseband but I can't find any MJ2 or before download-link.
Attached you can see the screenshots of GalaxSim Unlock and the request for an unlock code when I insert a simcard from another network provider.
Thank you very much!
8200 said:
Hi,
I need to SIM unlock my N9005. The app "GalaxSim Unlock" says "Your device should be unlockabale if you downgrade your baseband to MJ2 or before". I live in Austria (Europe).
I'm familiar with changing the baseband but I can't find any MJ2 or before download-link.
Attached you can see the screenshots of GalaxSim Unlock and the request for an unlock code when I insert a simcard from another network provider.
Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all depends on what firmware you are currently running. I'm pretty sure "MJ2" is Jelly Bean. If you've already upgraded to Lollipop, there is now way you'll be able to downgrade, something to do with upgrading your bootloader to Lollipop makes it impossible to downgrade to stock Jelly Bean from what I've read, but you can research yourself if you like. If you are still running Jelly Bean (which I doubt by the looks of your icons), you can flash this right here: http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=9434E847231211E6949E0CC47A44B7B2
I'd recommend just buying an unlock code on the internet, it's much faster for one and you don't have to mess with flashing anything on your phone.
Goes without saying, I will not be responsible for anything that happens to your phone if you decide to flash the file I've shared with you. Please do your research.
Thank you for the hints. I bought the unlock code for 12€ and it's working
https://handy-entsperren24.de