Hi all,
Have an interesting question. I bought an unlocked S4 on ebay and found that it was not factory or paid unlocked, but by first rooting then unlocking the network. And this was after I paid for unlocking lol oops. I emailed the seller and he confirmed the root/unlock, but that he doesn't remember how or what he used, yeah right.
Is there a way to undo the sim unlocked phone via root?
I just barely finished returning to stock after several days of stuck on firmware recovery fail.
Thanks
SCH-I337, running 4.4.2, NB1
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
I have done lots of reading on this and I am still not sure if the solution really exist ...
AT&T Sansung Galaxy S4 i337 MF3 build
1. Having MF3 build, none of the easy unlock solution worked.
2. Can I go back to any previous stock ROM from MF3 such that any of the easy unlock process would work?
3. Will the rooting methods using this be able to sim unlock my device?
4. I assume not, but will updating my MF3 build to any recent ones (MJ6 or MJ9) solve my problem?
Ultimately I want to unlock my device without having to pay $20- $30.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
touchworks said:
I have done lots of reading on this and I am still not sure if the solution really exist ...
AT&T Sansung Galaxy S4 i337 MF3 build
1. Having MF3 build, none of the easy unlock solution worked.
2. Can I go back to any previous stock ROM from MF3 such that any of the easy unlock process would work?
3. Will the rooting methods using this be able to sim unlock my device?
4. I assume not, but will updating my MF3 build to any recent ones (MJ6 or MJ9) solve my problem?
Ultimately I want to unlock my device without having to pay $20- $30.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lucky you, I just SIM unlocked my friends Galaxy S4 i337 MF3 from AT&T last night so I can tell you your options.
If your phone is off contract (fully paid) you can call AT&T and ask them for an unlock code.
Pay $10-$30 for a factory unlock code for your device from Ebay or whatever.
Root your device, block the AT&T updater from updating you to 4.3, and get the app Region Lock Away from the Play Store.
AT&T denied us the unlock code so we went with the Region Lock Away app from the Play Store and today my friend just activated his AT&T S4 with a T-Mobile prepaid plan. They transferred his number within a couple hours (4 hours or so) and he's been playing with 4G LTE, texting and calling all morning. He hasn't had cell phone internet before because AT&T is so expensive so he is pretty happy.
ximaginex said:
Lucky you, I just SIM unlocked my friends Galaxy S4 i337 MF3 from AT&T last night so I can tell you your options.
If your phone is off contract (fully paid) you can call AT&T and ask them for an unlock code.
Pay $10-$30 for a factory unlock code for your device from Ebay or whatever.
Root your device, block the AT&T updater from updating you to 4.3, and get the app Region Lock Away from the Play Store.
AT&T denied us the unlock code so we went with the Region Lock Away app from the Play Store and today my friend just activated his AT&T S4 with a T-Mobile prepaid plan. They transferred his number within a couple hours (4 hours or so) and he's been playing with 4G LTE, texting and calling all morning. He hasn't had cell phone internet before because AT&T is so expensive so he is pretty happy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it and it works. My phone is unlocked now. Is it safe to update to 4.3 now ?
touchworks said:
I did it and it works. My phone is unlocked now. Is it safe to update to 4.3 now ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not a good idea. The unlock is a software unlock so updating it might remove it and you might lose root capability as well. For now, wait and see if you can still root after the update. If you can, then you can update, root and reinstall the Region Lock Away.
Hi all,
is there any advantages of having a unlocked bootloader over a locked.
Ive had my samsung s4 9505 since launch and i have never upgraded the bootloader. Ive only ever upgraded the gsm modem.
as development has come a long way since launch is there any benefits of having a unlocked bootloader ?
Many thanks
On a galaxy phone you don't have locked/unlocked bootloaders
minidude2012 said:
On a galaxy phone you don't have locked/unlocked bootloaders
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish that were true. My bootloader got locked by the 4.3 update, which came through as i was setting up my phone when i first brought it.
Didn't find out about it till i accessed the forums later the same day.
anoniemouse said:
I wish that were true. My bootloader got locked by the 4.3 update, which came through as i was setting up my phone when i first brought it.
Didn't find out about it till i accessed the forums later the same day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know then as I've had a galaxy s4 since first came out and the galaxy s4 has never had a locked bootloader
The I9500 and I9505 shouldn't have a locked bootloader. Galaxy S4 devices for AT&T and Verizon in the United States however DO lock their bootloaders. Locking, or more accurately, encrypting the bootloader, makes it extremely difficult if not nearly impossible to load custom ROMs. Which is why you don't want one if you can help it.
In the Q&A forum there is a thread where a forum member describes purchasing what was supposed to be an I9505 off eBay. Through some detective work it was discovered that his device was a Frankenstein, in that it had the IMEI of an I9505 but the motherboard and the other components were from an AT&T SGH-I337. Thus, his "I9505" had a locked bootloader. At last report he was going to contact the seller about this. I thought about offering him a straight up swap, since he needed an I9505 and I could use his phone here in the US and get LTE, but the fact the IMEI is not what originally came with the hardware has me pausing.
If you have an I9505 and a locked bootloader, your phone may have been "refurbished" in this manner by a third party. It might be a good idea to check your phone and see what you have.
Going away, wanted to unlock by Rogers Samsung S5 so I can use a local sim card. Bought an unlock code on Ebay, but it was not accepted. Now I'm doing some reading, says that phones with customer ROMS sometimes have trouble with legitimate unlock codes.
So if it's true, I think I need to go back to stock and try. But I wanted to see if anyone had any experience doing this, if they think that customer ROM is the issue. Also do I have to just go to stock, or also stock recovery, and what about bootloader, does that have to be changed back if I've installed an updated bootloader?
Thanks a lot.
Just got my H918 T-Mobile Unlocked from an Ebay Seller. The good news is that it is on 10k, so I can downgrade and enjoy the twrp and root awesomeness! Just one thing: Will I lose the carrier unlock after I factory reset or flash another rom? (Sim unlock works as it should and I did not have to do anything with the T-Mobile Device Unlock app, which was preinstalled)
tweengr said:
Just got my H918 T-Mobile Unlocked from an Ebay Seller. The good news is that it is on 10k, so I can downgrade and enjoy the twrp and root awesomeness! Just one thing: Will I lose the carrier unlock after I factory reset or flash another rom? (Sim unlock works as it should and I did not have to do anything with the T-Mobile Device Unlock app, which was preinstalled)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't think you will but I would still check around first
I have checked around. Probably will not lose the unlock. Maybe someone else has been in the same situation. I have to make sure.
Not sure if I'm answering your question right but t mobile has the obligation to unlock fully paid off phones. So if the device is fully paid off and something happens you can call t mobile again to unlock it.
Update: Unlocked bootloader, installed custom rom, never lost sim unlock.
tweengr said:
Just got my H918 T-Mobile Unlocked from an Ebay Seller. The good news is that it is on 10k, so I can downgrade and enjoy the twrp and root awesomeness! Just one thing: Will I lose the carrier unlock after I factory reset or flash another rom? (Sim unlock works as it should and I did not have to do anything with the T-Mobile Device Unlock app, which was preinstalled)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I also have a locked H918, can you suggest the ebay seller so that I am able to use the phone
No you will not lose your unlock. Once unlocked it's for good.