Database Users

[Q] Changing firmware on locked phone

My S4 is locked to 3 UK.
I would like to flash UK unbranded firmware.
Can I just flash the UK unbranded firmware without unlocking the phone first or must I unlock it first?
I intend to continue using the phone with 3UK. I don't want to brick the phone.
I just want to get rid of as much unwanted junk apps on the phone as I can. I have no intention (currently) of using the phone with any other network.
dog-man

dog-man said:
My S4 is locked to 3 UK.
I would like to flash UK unbranded firmware.
Can I just flash the UK unbranded firmware without unlocking the phone first or must I unlock it first?
I intend to continue using the phone with 3UK. I don't want to brick the phone.
I just want to get rid of as much unwanted junk apps on the phone as I can. I have no intention (currently) of using the phone with any other network.
dog-man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody know the answer to this?
dog-man

dog-man said:
Nobody know the answer to this?
dog-man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash any firmware for your variant, and it will still locked to your service provider
sent from my Galaxy

And it will not brick the phone?
I was told on another forum that it could not be flashed to any other firmware except 3 uk because it is sim locked.
I just want to be sure before I flash it.
dog-man

dog-man said:
And it will not brick the phone?
I was told on another forum that it could not be flashed to any other firmware except 3 uk because it is sim locked.
I just want to be sure before I flash it.
dog-man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, it will not:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41176429&postcount=40
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41209736&postcount=58

Can confirm this can be done. I own i9505 preordered from 3UK, locked to their network because of contract. And I am running 4.2.2 Google edition ROM with root.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Official rom flashing

is flashing official rom from sammobile.com will brick my mobile???
or create IMEI problem.
As i rooted my current official firmware. i want to go back to stock. but i took backup of my efs folder but i haven't found any nv_data file on it.
Please advise is official rom will to create IMEI probem.

Depends on which phone and firmware u got
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

Demented22 said:
Depends on which phone and firmware u got
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i bought my mobile from France so i download this rom
I9505XXUBMEA_I9505OXXBMF1_XEF MAIN
which i download from sammobile.com

Ohhh gotcha
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

I was actually wondering... If I'm network locked and I flashed a new stock ROM, would it remove the network lock? I don't think it will, but just want to confirm and to know the rationale behind all of it. I was thinking of rooting my S4 to get it to downgrade and have the network lock removed, but don't know about all these things. A lot of threads mention rooting for custom firmwares but not rooting in order to remove network lock afterwards.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4

ladyhaly said:
I was actually wondering... If I'm network locked and I flashed a new stock ROM, would it remove the network lock? I don't think it will, but just want to confirm and to know the rationale behind all of it. I was thinking of rooting my S4 to get it to downgrade and have the network lock removed, but don't know about all these things. A lot of threads mention rooting for custom firmwares but not rooting in order to remove network lock afterwards.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing any rom will not remove the network lock... but it can brick ur phone if u flashed a rom that is not intended for ur phone, if u want to get it unlocked ur best option for that is call ur current carrier to get the unlock code, it could cost u for the code but thats about the only way besides rooting and trying to unlock it that way after root.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

I've unlocked my phone using an unlock code with one of those websites. It's a success. No problems. The problems I encountered recently had to do with the defective battery that came with my S4. What I'm curious to know now is if I can flash a ROM from my country where I got my phone... Just to make it like an unbranded phone. This is because when I boot up my phone, I see my carrier's logo and one of the wallpapers they replaced with their carrier logo as well. It's pretty annoying... So I wonder if I can flash a non-carrier unbranded ROM from my country to my phone. And do ai need to root to do so?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

galaxy s4 sgh I337 at&t unlock

Hey there, I have a samsung galaxy s4 sgh-i337 locked to at&t.
I bought an unlocking code from an ebay user.
it doesn't unlock my phone, it writes: "unlock request unsuccesful". I tried to use the defreeze code and then again the network code, still nothing.
I was referred to a guide that suppose to show me the "service mode menu", by entering *#0011# . so service mode goes on when i put that number in the dial pad, but then I suppose to do 'menu key'->'back'->'menu key'->'key input'->'1', but after I do that nothing happens, the service mode menu with all the options doesn't pop up, it stays in the same page of the service mode. somewhere down on the ServiceMode page it writes "Service:Limited". what should I do?

Talk with an at&t rep or chat online and indicate that you will be traveling and want to use this phone there and they'll give u a unlock code..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

sameer1807 said:
Talk with an at&t rep or chat online and indicate that you will be traveling and want to use this phone there and they'll give u a unlock code..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm pretty sure that I already have a code, and in some reason it still doesn't work.. I'll try it anyway. write now they're on holiday.
But still, does anyone here know about a way to make that cranky menu show up?

ncamaa said:
i'm pretty sure that I already have a code, and in some reason it still doesn't work.. I'll try it anyway. write now they're on holiday.
But still, does anyone here know about a way to make that cranky menu show up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try *#197328640#

aLMosT!
khha4113 said:
Try *#197328640#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it took me directly to the DEBUG SCREEN menu, but I have only 5 options instead of 6. the important option is missing. option number 6, "phone control". is there any direct way to get to that menu? or to make it show the option?

Someone... Help.. please
no Mega genius here that can solve my problem?

same boat here man, this is a new problem since not everyone has 4.3 yet. Att won't even give me the unlock code since they changed eligibility few months ago to "only off contract or fulfilled contract phones." I've read one person saying the eBay unlock code didnt work on 4.3 either. And the only success i've heard is another post here on XDA saying they unlocked 4.3 using the regionlockaway app, but they apparently Odin flashed 4.2.2, did the regionlockaway while the phone had no sound/wifi etc., then Odin flashed 4.3(locked again), then flashed 4.2.2 odin again, regionlockaway'ed, then odin'ed 4.3 again and the unlock stayed. That sounds ridiculous and is not an exact science.
So i'm done with At&t's phone slavery and switching to T-mobile on a nexus till the Xperia Z1 is out. I thought this was the future.

wtfmateim65 said:
same boat here man, this is a new problem since not everyone has 4.3 yet. Att won't even give me the unlock code since they changed eligibility few months ago to "only off contract or fulfilled contract phones." I've read one person saying the eBay unlock code didnt work on 4.3 either. And the only success i've heard is another post here on XDA saying they unlocked 4.3 using the regionlockaway app, but they apparently Odin flashed 4.2.2, did the regionlockaway while the phone had no sound/wifi etc., then Odin flashed 4.3(locked again), then flashed 4.2.2 odin again, regionlockaway'ed, then odin'ed 4.3 again and the unlock stayed. That sounds ridiculous and is not an exact science.
So i'm done with At&t's phone slavery and switching to T-mobile on a nexus till the Xperia Z1 is out. I thought this was the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what you're saying is that there's no future for these phones?

ncamaa said:
so what you're saying is that there's no future for these phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take your phone to one of the shops which do unlocking using a box. It is possible to do it.

tronac said:
unlocking using a box
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you explain a little bit please? I am not aware of that method
how much do you think they'll take?

If you have another $20.50 go to Myhoian's website it's unlockcode247.com it'll take about a full day or over 12 hours usually but not longer than that he's never failed to unlock any of my phones.

I used region unlock. Unlocked my phone, put in a T-Mobile sim and it didn't asked for a code. Bam unlocked.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

toxicpaulution said:
I used region unlock. Unlocked my phone, put in a T-Mobile sim and it didn't asked for a code. Bam unlocked.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
guys please explain, i'm a noob. what's region unlock? by the way, my phone is a GSM phone.
also, what's unlocking using a box?
and about that unlockcode247 - can they help me if I already got a code from another source?
I am not from the US and I want to use my phone outside of the USA (the phone was bought in the USA and is AT&T locked).

toxicpaulution said:
I used region unlock. Unlocked my phone, put in a T-Mobile sim and it didn't asked for a code. Bam unlocked.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you on MK2?

52me52 said:
Are you on MK2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really know what do you mean by MK2, but if you meaning my baseband version its MF3 (yes, i know it's bad)

unlock att on mk2
I am currently running MK2 and I am having the same problem as the other guy. I am sure that is what he is on as well. Any ideas on how to get this unlocked?

gsxrchick said:
I am currently running MK2 and I am having the same problem as the other guy. I am sure that is what he is on as well. Any ideas on how to get this unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Cellunlocker.net and it was done in 24hrs. It did cost $29.99. Since I was on MK2 the only way to get it unlocked for free was through my carrier and they would not unlock.

LVGN said:
I used Cellunlocker.net and it was done in 24hrs. It did cost $29.99. Since I was on MK2 the only way to get it unlocked for free was through my carrier and they would not unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My carrier said I was qualified to do the unlock. How are these services? Paying that much money on a limb sounds sketchy and most endorsers seem to be part of the sketchiness. Anyone else have experience using the only sites?

Jeez...

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2597973
I unlocked mine using method 2. You will not have sound until you flash modem back. At least I didn't.
I337 stock, unlocked, rooted

[Q] Unlock Code Question

I have a locked Galaxy S4 from AT&T but is rooted and flashed to custom rom. I did get the unlock code and it didnt. My question is do I need to be on the official stock rom first before using the code?

Usually you do. I'd flash back to stock, then try the code. Once you're unlocked it'll stay unlocked and you can flash a custom rom
Sent from my Nexus 5

jd1639 said:
Usually you do. I'd flash back to stock, then try the code. Once you're unlocked it'll stay unlocked and you can flash a custom rom
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just flashed it back to stock rom using Odin 3.07. The code still isn't working. The email does say that I should wait 24 hours upon receipt. Could that be the issue?

Try this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51571042
I have purchased and used many unlock codes, some require funny steps for one reason or another. Who knows why. Should be as easy as typing in the code when asked but sometimes u need to jump through hoops..

waiters said:
Try this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51571042
I have purchased and used many unlock codes, some require funny steps for one reason or another. Who knows why. Should be as easy as typing in the code when asked but sometimes u need to jump through hoops..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crazily enough, this did the trick. I'm going to try to root it again and see if it sticks.

falle.son85 said:
Crazily enough, this did the trick. I'm going to try to root it again and see if it sticks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yeah I couldn't make that **** up
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Questions About Bootloader, etc.

I just got my U.S. Cellular s5 (G900R4) a couple days ago on Craigslist for $175 and I've been enjoying it thus far. I rooted it with towelroot just fine, but I'm a bit confused about the state of my bootloader. Is it already unlocked, or do I need to run some program to unlock it? I searched on Google and xda for a while and found nothing about this. I guess the U.S. Cellular model just isn't very popular. I just want to be sure so I can safely flash TWRP and flash some roms without ending up with a borked phone. TouchWiz is so slow compared to my Nexus 5 :/
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using XDA Free mobile app

happyjack96 said:
I'm a bit confused about the state of my bootloader. Is it already unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We don't hear a lot about you USC guys. Given that all of the USC Motorolas, Sony, Samsung, et cetera that I have seen in the past have had locked bootloaders.. I'd bet that yours is too. And I'm confident that a forum search would confirm whether USC continues to lock bootloaders.
I don't have a 900R4 to test, but this dialer code may work -
Dial *#*#7378423#*#*
Then choose Service Info > Configuration
If it says:
Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes <---- this means that your bootloader is locked
Bootloader unlocked: Yes <---- this means that your bootloader is unlocked
I rather doubt that you will find any program to unlock the 900R4 bootloader anytime soon. But you can probably follow the Verizon tutorial for using Safestrap to virtual instance of a custom ROM or TWRP.
.

My phone isn't active on USC yet, so I can't dial anything. I'm just going to assume that I am locked. Safestrap seems like my best option. Thanks!
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using XDA Free mobile app

happyjack96 said:
My phone isn't active on USC yet, so I can't dial anything. I'm just going to assume that I am locked. Safestrap seems like my best option. Thanks!
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't have to be activated to use the dial code, just open up the dialer and enter the code listed. Good luck.