Database Users

[Q] SGH-i337m - is my phone unlocked?

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

[Q] How to unlock Galaxy S4 SCH-R70 US Cellular

How to unlock the Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-R970
I bough this phone online thinking that i will unlock and keep using on different carriers even outside the US (GSM)
I have done a lot of researches online and i cannot find any solution. The imei is only 14 Digits and almost all online unlocking services doesn't have this model.
The usually codes like *#0011#, *#27663368378# they doesn't work at all.
I have tried to go to unlock stores or guys who knows to unlock phones and he said that this phone cannot be unlocked.
phone has a sim card slot so it should be CDMA&GSM
When i insert a different sim card provider it says Invalid Sim Card so i cannot enter any unlock code
ANY IDEA or i will lose 500$ for bad phone

Uscc is not a gsm phone the sim card slot is used for thw 4g service the phone itself is cdma
Sent from my SCH-R970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

jtjames003 said:
Uscc is not a gsm phone the sim card slot is used for thw 4g service the phone itself is cdma
Sent from my SCH-R970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
??
Anyone know if its possible to unlock?

cynthiadx said:
??
Anyone know if its possible to unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you find a solution? i have th same problem but my phone is s3

jtjames003 said:
Uscc is not a gsm phone the sim card slot is used for thw 4g service the phone itself is cdma
Sent from my SCH-R970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are wrong..when samsung fixed/made the phone give the phone all the feuatures..like thisphone can bee gsm and cdma phone..but uscc lock the gsm and they only want to use cdma..i contact samsung and they told me..all s4 models in every counrtys are same..but uscc lock the gsm network..now we have to 'brake' their lock or give us the unlock code..thatt all.. i also have the same promble..no solution yet..

SkilleR039 said:
How to unlock the Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-R970
I bough this phone online thinking that i will unlock and keep using on different carriers even outside the US (GSM)
I have done a lot of researches online and i cannot find any solution. The imei is only 14 Digits and almost all online unlocking services doesn't have this model.
The usually codes like *#0011#, *#27663368378# they doesn't work at all.
I have tried to go to unlock stores or guys who knows to unlock phones and he said that this phone cannot be unlocked.
phone has a sim card slot so it should be CDMA&GSM
When i insert a different sim card provider it says Invalid Sim Card so i cannot enter any unlock code
ANY IDEA or i will lose 500$ for bad phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this ##366633# the first code in dial app that works..even imei code dont work this code is going in one dm mode any ideas what is this?

Samsung gs4 sch-970c (cricket)
Samsung has told me this phone will work either gsm or cdma. Cdma is the way cricket first sold it. It cannot be unlocked. It is cdma. It has to be flashed to a new carrier after it is rooted. The sim is locked via software. Not many codes and all the unlock codes you read about are for gsm. The ##366633# code you mention gets you to a disable or enable developer mode.

i also have the same issue. Not resolved yet. but I did find out this that might help: if i pull up a website that checks the MEID number it gives me the whole description of my phone plus an extra digit on the IMEI number. I wonder if this is why third party unlock sites cant help me

Who has unlocked cricket sch-r970c?
Same problem. Cricket said they cannot find the unlock code if the phone was never activated. So this was never activated.
I have rooted it to OptimizedCM-12-1-20151130. Is it now unlocked?
OR, who has successfully flashed a custom ROM to unlock the software lock on it?

The struggle continues...
I just repaired my USC s4 LCD digitizer and now that I am no longer a USC customer wanted to unlock it so I did some checking, if you go to US cellular they will unlock the phone for you, I got my unlock code, but they said they couldn't complete the process if the phone was rooted (Which mine is), you would have to reinstall the USC original firmware, or the latest firmware, to get it to unlock, then root it. I am doing some research now to find out if there is indeed an alternative to unlock a rooted phone...

I just left US CELLULAR where I was told nothing below the s5 could be unlocked,and the only suggestion from any one employed there was to call customer service.

you try RegionLockapp ???
I unlocked my t mobile s4 with it, i had to flash to a earlier firmware, then root, then use RegionLockapp, then re-flash whatever rom you want.

[Q] flash stock rom unlock???

Ok so long story short, I bought an unlocked S5 off CL. Turns out its the 900H which means it doesnt have the necessary radio to be able to use 4G/LTE. It also wont locate satellites for gps accurately. I am assuming this is because of only having 3g access???
Anyways, got my hands on a 900AZ (cricket) model, which does support AT&T 4G/LTE (I think). But it is locked and wont work with my sim. I was wondering if I rooted this thing and flashed a stock AT&T rom would that get me around the lock issue? Or am I going to have to just suck it up and pay $40 for an unlock code?
I tried searching but couldnt find an answer to this, thanks for any help.

heffercow said:
Ok so long story short, I bought an unlocked S5 off CL. Turns out its the 900H which means it doesnt have the necessary radio to be able to use 4G/LTE. It also wont locate satellites for gps accurately. I am assuming this is because of only having 3g access???
Anyways, got my hands on a 900AZ (cricket) model, which does support AT&T 4G/LTE (I think). But it is locked and wont work with my sim. I was wondering if I rooted this thing and flashed a stock AT&T rom would that get me around the lock issue? Or am I going to have to just suck it up and pay $40 for an unlock code?
I tried searching but couldnt find an answer to this, thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but the network unlock doesn't consist on flashing a ROM of the company and Voilà its unlocked. You need a special code to unlock the network. There use to be a method for the Galaxy S - Galaxy S3 (can't remember if S4 was supported) but nothing for the Galaxy S5 yet. I guess for now the ones that I have read that work are coming from unlocking services companies. :crying:

Straight Talk S5

so, my dad has a SM-G903VL and its paid for, been on ST for over a year and they wont provide the unlock code. Its technically not locked, its just that the OS wont allow to switch to GSM only, change PRLs or anything related to carrier switching. All i really want to do is install a custom recovery and a ROM that allows for GSM only. Anyone had any luck rooting this thing? Also, its definitely not the 902
edit: Mods, can you put this in the verizon S5 threads? I mistakenly put it in the sprint thread

Unlockboot expensive, but do you recommend?

Hi,
I found that "unlockboot" can help me to unlock my S10+ SMG-G975U, that previusly UnlockUnit identify my device as Unavailable - CDMA and something like that topic.
Do you recommend unlockboot to unlock by 99USD?
Thank in advance!

Are you wanting to carrier unlock it or bootloader unlock it? The phone is already carrier unlocked, just insert your SIM. The bootloader cannot be unlocked on the G975U.

StoneyJSG said:
Are you wanting to carrier unlock it or bootloader unlock it? The phone is already carrier unlocked, just insert your SIM. The bootloader cannot be unlocked on the G975U.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
No, there is a message that said "Sorry, your device can´t be activated on another carrier's..."

What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.

StoneyJSG said:
What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will try to flash U1 fw. The cellphone is Verizon, and I am looking to move to Movistar (Telefonica) of Mexico.

StoneyJSG said:
What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait wait. So you're saying my Sprint S10+ is already unlocked? Just need to flash the U1 software?

If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.

Hello,
I flashed this one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/sm-g975u-firmware-downloads-tmo-spr-att-t3908657. Everything goes ok, and the message of unlocking appears, requesting me the unlock code.
Any suggestion?
Thank you!

jhs39 said:
If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you can flash U1 firmware anyway, but it will still be locked to the same carrier without the unlock code. Carrier locking is IMEI based, not software or device based.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs

Have you tried calling the carrier and asking them to unlock it? Most carriers will unlock your phone once you've had it for 3 months.

Psedog said:
Have you tried calling the carrier and asking them to unlock it? Most carriers will unlock your phone once you've had it for 3 months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot get contact with agent support, I need to have a Verizon number get into the call

jwarrior319 said:
Actually you can flash U1 firmware anyway, but it will still be locked to the same carrier without the unlock code. Carrier locking is IMEI based, not software or device based.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recently the firmware for the S10+ became all-inclusive like on the S9 models so I'm not sure if flashing U1 firmware over carrier firmware will get rid of the carrier apps anymore. They seem to get installed now automatically as part of the provisioning for the installed SIM card. If you have a network unlocked Verizon phone and insert a T-mobile SIM you end up with the T-mobile boot animation and T-mobile apps and all the Verizon stuff is gone. Maybe the U1 firmware doesn't work the same way.

I read in a different thread that you have to activate the phone with Verizon and wait 3 days. After that just put in another carrier SIM and the phone should auto unlock.

jhs39 said:
If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is incomplete and some is inaccurate..
his vzw device doesnt need to be paid off but does need to wait 60 days from activating on the verizon network before they unlock it..
also you can absolutely flash u1 firmware on a u device, it has literally nothing to do with the sim lock.. and no, flashing u1 on u doesnt magically unlock the sim..
pretty sure on U firmware vzw device will say message cannot be used on another carrier yet.. on u1 will i believe prompt for unlock code when a dif. carrier sim is inserted
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy
sprint however needs to be fully paid off and active at least 50 days and account needs to be in good standing to be eligible for sim unlock

StoneyJSG said:
I read in a different thread that you have to activate the phone with Verizon and wait 3 days. After that just put in another carrier SIM and the phone should auto unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its a 60 day period, not 3 days lmao

hackerjj22 said:
Hi,
I found that "unlockboot" can help me to unlock my S10+ SMG-G975U, that previusly UnlockUnit identify my device as Unavailable - CDMA and something like that topic.
Do you recommend unlockboot to unlock by 99USD?
Thank in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.

kw69747 said:
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply!
I am trying to unlock the sim, the cellphone was Verizon US, (refurbished by asurion). And wanted to use Movistar (Telefonica, from Mexico just GSM). I am searching to do a root and try to follow this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1693491. So what I understand, the site "Unlockboot" could do a CDMA unlock, and after 3 days of chatting with the person that is on service there, sounds that are possible, also is possible that I can continue using my GSM provider of Mexico. But it is very expensive 99$ USD is 2000$ MXN... Also, I do not trust a web service, also if there isn't a reference on this forum.
So that's the update...

kw69747 said:
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are wrong.. U variants will work on all us carriers once sim unlocked.. its been this way a few years now..
also, i can get oem unlock but youre still not missing anything because bl unlock doesnt work still lol

I think ibowtoandroid who maintains multiple Samsung device threads on XDA has an unlock service but I'm not sure what he charges.
---------- Post added at 01:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 AM ----------
Where I live there are multiple independent phone shops that sell SIM cards and phones and are not affiliated with a single carrier and also phone repair shops that offer to SIM unlock a phone as a walk in service. You can probably find a shop to do it if you don't trust an online service.

jhs39 said:
I think ibowtoandroid who maintains multiple Samsung device threads on XDA has an unlock service but I'm not sure what he charges.
---------- Post added at 01:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 AM ----------
Where I live there are multiple independent phone shops that sell SIM cards and phones and are not affiliated with a single carrier and also phone repair shops that offer to SIM unlock a phone as a walk in service. You can probably find a shop to do it if you don't trust an online service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me contact him, thanks!