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I live in Canada and I want to buy a Droid Pro. Is there currently a way to buy a *UNLOCKED* *UNACTIVATED* Droid Pro (off eBay) and activate it outside of the US?
Thank You
Google this:
how to bypass android activation screen on Motorola Droid
I have seen the posts about being able to touch the corners of the screen but that doesn't seem to promising and I would need that conformed before being able to buy it. Also if I were to travel to the US would it automatically start using verizon? Thank You
jamilm9 said:
I have seen the posts about being able to touch the corners of the screen but that doesn't seem to promising and I would need that conformed before being able to buy it. Also if I were to travel to the US would it automatically start using verizon? Thank You
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Well honestly I can't confirm any of that Because I got my Pro off eBay, pre-activated and ready to go. I unlocked in Kuwait on a Kuwaiti SIM card using the code provided by the seller.
Ehem.. I think I just answered your question Just make sure that the seller already activated the phone
For a phone to be pre activated does it have to be used or is there another way for the seller to activate it? Thank You.
Look through this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=866922
A lot of people have had problems with unlocking the SIM card unless it was activated by Verizon first in the U.S. Your best bet will probably be to get one that has already been activated and unlocked. After that's been done, you should be able to bypass the activation screen following a factory reset and use whatever SIM card you want. It won't start roaming on Verizon if you have a foreign SIM card in there. Actually, it won't roam in the States at all on GSM, regardless of whether you have a foreign SIM or not. The U.S. GSM bands are locked out and can't be used.
So I am going to buy a probably used Galaxy S5, most likely from Swappa.com and I am going to activate it with Metro PCS, which is a GSM carrier, so I know I need a GSM carrier GS5, like from AT&T or T-Mobile. I did a bit of googling and I only ended up with more questions... Are the AT&T and T Mobile versions of the GS5 carrier locked? From what I read online, the ATT is locked and the Tmobile is unlocked, but I cant be certain from the couple forum posts I could only find. If the phone is already unlocked, I can just bring it into the Metro PCS store and activate it, right?
Now, what if it is locked? Can I carrier unlock it myself? How do I do that? Do I really need to buy an unlock code online? Seems kinda sketchy to buy these codes from random unlocking sites, but if I have to...? Also, can I have it unlocked by Metro PCS or T-Mobile or ATT?
Next part of my question is about the bootloader. Again, I did some research, but found only one relatively... relevant forum post. So I come here for direct help. I was chatting with AT&T tech support on their site asking about the bootloader.
Anyways, ATT told me the bootloader on their GS5's are encrypted locked. What about TMobiles version? Supposedly if they are encrypted, there is near to no chance of really getting that unlocked. Although, if they are not encrypted, would they be able to be unlocked? I have no idea about T-Mobile having a locked bootloader or not.
Lastly, has the bootlader been unlocked already for any GS5? I ask because ive seen some GS5's with custom ROM's and launchers and stuff, but last I heard, they were still locked.
You didn't do much "research" via Google or searching this forum or you'd already have the answers your are looking for. These questions have been asked and answered innumerable times.
Very few carriers other than ATT and Verizon lock bootloaders. TMB's bootloader is not locked. Generally speaking, TMB model has the most GSM bands and is arguably the most desirable model but you need to check whether those include the bands you need with the carrier you plan to use. Do that by checking and comparing the bands that both carriers use or simply find out what S5 model your carrier uses itself.
Most phones, incuding TMB, ATT, et al are SIM locked. But you can easily get a third party vendor to provide an unlock code for about $20 and thereafter use it on another carrier.
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fffft said:
You didn't do much "research" via Google or searching this forum or you'd already have the answers your are looking for. These questions have been asked and answered innumerable times.
Very few carriers other than ATT and Verizon lock bootloaders. TMB's bootloader is not locked. Generally speaking, TMB model has the most GSM bands and is arguably the most desirable model but you need to check whether those include the bands you need with the carrier you plan to use. Do that by checking and comparing the bands that both carriers use or simply find out what S5 model your carrier uses itself.
Most phones, incuding TMB, ATT, et al are SIM locked. But you can easily get a third party vendor to provide an unlock code for about $20 and thereafter use it on another carrier.
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Click to collapse
Sorry, this is just totally new to me. Ive never had an android device other than a Nexus 7 I was gifted that i hardly use. Ive never even had a smartphone, so Ive had to find and absorb all this info about rooting, bootloaders, unlocking. Its been kinda mind boggling. So in the meantime after I posted this I pieced together this info.. I hope I am corrrect:
-AT&T and Verizon have been locking their bootloaders for a while and everyone hates them for that
-Any GSM carrier phone can be unlocked to work with any other GSM carrier
-CDMA cannot be unlocked at all
Kinda iffy on this one, not 100% sure... -Rooting is the same as unlocking the bootloader. If the bootloader is not encrypted, the phone can be rooted and custom ROM's/recoveries can be installed.
-Supposedly Verizon and AT&T GS5's can now be rooted... (cant link to outisde links, but just search "How to Root ANY Samsung Galaxy S5 Variant (Even AT&T & Verizon) in 20 Seconds Flat" and its the first link.
Based off this new info I have gathered... I want a T-Mobile GS5 (or AT&T if they can in fact be rooted and have custom ROM's installed on them). I will have to carrier unlock it myself unless it is already unlocked (someone on Swappa.com says they are selling a "factory unlocked" T-Mobile GS5 for $480, so I guess T-Mobile also sells carrier unlocked versions). I will unlock it using a code from theunlockingcompany website for $40 (seems like a steep price, but supposedly its the best site to use). I will then unlock it with the code which should take a couple minutes after I get the code, code taking up to 5 hours to arrive in my email. I will then have to take it in store to Metro PCS (hopefully I can do it online too if I order the SIM card online to ship to me for $10) to have it activated with them and get service. Then it should be activated, have my phone number, have cell and data service, paid/pay $40 a month. All is well in the world.
Is that info I discovered above true, what about the steps I should go through in the last section, above?
DannyDee15 said:
Is that info I discovered above true
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Click to collapse
I wouldn't know where to begin. Yes, a TMB phone is ideal IMO for ATT because it covers all of the ATT frequencies and then some, plus has an unlocked bootloader. Most of the rest you have wrong.
Any GSM carrier phone can be unlocked to work with any other GSM carrier
No. You can unlock phones, but models will seldom work well on a different carriers frequency allotment.
CDMA cannot be unlocked at all
Not true.
Rooting is the same as unlocking the bootloader.
They are not the same thing.
If the bootloader is not encrypted, the phone can be rooted
Not correct. You can root phones with locked (encrypted) bootloaders.
Supposedly Verizon and AT&T GS5's can now be rooted
Almost any Android with a pre-June6th firmware build can be rooted.
so I guess T-Mobile also sells carrier unlocked versions
Nope.
I don't know how you managed to adopt so much misinformation. I can only assume that you haven't done much reading yet and /or made a lot of assumptions. You should read some of the sticky posts to get a better general understanding of how everything fits together. Then you can pose more informed questions.
It has nothing to do with being new to smartphones. You just thought that it was easier to ask than to do a proper search or puzzle out a few confusing points. It would be in your own best interests to do some reading, but whether you do or not is entirely up to you.
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Hello. I cant seem to find any service that can sim unlock a verizon htc 10. I am looking for a remote unlock, or a way I can be sure it will unlock, since I am buying the phone off Ebay. I would hate to buy it, to see it wont accept unlock codes.
Will converting it to US unlocked version (s-off, change cid, flash ruu) sim unlock it? Or is the sim lock permanent on verizons?
liquidzorch said:
Hello. I cant seem to find any service that can sim unlock a verizon htc 10. I am looking for a remote unlock, or a way I can be sure it will unlock, since I am buying the phone off Ebay. I would hate to buy it, to see it wont accept unlock codes.
Will converting it to US unlocked version (s-off, change cid, flash ruu) sim unlock it? Or is the sim lock permanent on verizons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I mentioned in the other thread the verizon 10 is not sim locked and will work with a gsm sim card, provided that the lte bands used by the GSM network are supported by the Verizon variant. You just need to switch the network mode to Global in Settings I believe.
Tarima said:
As I mentioned in the other thread the verizon 10 is not sim locked and will work with a gsm sim card, provided that the lte bands used by the GSM network are supported by the Verizon variant. You just need to switch the network mode to Global in Settings I believe.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for your replies. I have asked the person selling it, and he says his is locked to verizon, it will not accept gsm sim. The unlocked verizons are a bit more expensive. Is there any remote unlocking services for verizon? Even if it has bad ESN.
liquidzorch said:
Thanks for your replies. I have asked the person selling it, and he says his is locked to verizon, it will not accept gsm sim. The unlocked verizons are a bit more expensive. Is there any remote unlocking services for verizon? Even if it has bad ESN.
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Click to collapse
I don't know how much sense what the seller is telling you makes.
https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/verizon-unlocking-guide
As I said I used my stock verizon 10 with a gsm sim.
Regarding your question sorry I don't know. And I suspect the reason you don't find much info is because it's not needed.
Tarima said:
I don't know how much sense what the seller is telling you makes.
https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/verizon-unlocking-guide
As I said I used my stock verizon 10 with a gsm sim.
Regarding your question sorry I don't know. And I suspect the reason you don't find much info is because it's not needed.
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Click to collapse
Yes, you can ask for an unlock, but you have to meet certain criteria, and some phones being sold dont meet the criteria, or the owner does not feel like calling verizon and asking them to unlock it even when being free. If I buy one I can not ask them to unlock it since I will not be on thier network. I have fallen in that trap before. They ask you have it activated on their network so they can send the unlock. Stupid, but its their rules.
liquidzorch said:
Yes, you can ask for an unlock, but you have to meet certain criteria, and some phones being sold dont meet the criteria, or the owner does not feel like calling verizon and asking them to unlock it even when being free. If I buy one I can not ask them to unlock it since I will not be on thier network. I have fallen in that trap before. They ask you have it activated on their network so they can send the unlock. Stupid, but its their rules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From Verizon's website:
We do not lock most phones or tablets that are activated with our postpay service, either during or after the term of your service contract or*Device Payment Plan*installment sales agreement.
We do not lock our 4G LTE devices, and no code is needed to program them for use with another carrier.
This is their official policy written on their site, so if the seller is trying to sell you phone that's somehow locked you should beware.
My LG Stylo 2 Plus is carrier locked to T-mobile but my sim chip is with AT&T. I tried using the device unlock app to unlock the carrier but it didn't work with permanent option. Is there a custom Rom i can install that would allow me to use AT&T instead? I am not able to have the carrier unlocked by T-Mobile by normal means.
RemixDeluxe said:
My LG Stylo 2 Plus is carrier locked to T-mobile but my sim chip is with AT&T. I tried using the device unlock app to unlock the carrier but it didn't work with permanent option. Is there a custom Rom i can install that would allow me to use AT&T instead? I am not able to have the carrier unlocked by T-Mobile by normal means.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SIM lock is a different creature. Since you're not a Tmobile customer you'll need to get a third party unlock code...
Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk
Unfortunately no, like the other person said you'd likely have to buy the code to unlock it. To use the unlock app on your phone you usually have to have used 3-6 months (depending on carrier requirement) of service for it to work. If you install a room make sure you keep the app invade you need it later.
Before you buy the code you should call T-Mobile though to see if they can do it for you anyway, sometimes they're cool about it.
You have the same problem I have, except I have the T-Mobile variant. If you still have the device with no major physical damage we could work out a straight trade depending on our shipping costs. I need your variant, you want mine. This is truly a day for lazy Android customization indeed, and First Contact day to boot. Live long and message me.
JakeSnow said:
Unfortunately no, like the other person said you'd likely have to buy the code to unlock it. To use the unlock app on your phone you usually have to have used 3-6 months (depending on carrier requirement) of service for it to work. If you install a room make sure you keep the app invade you need it later.
Before you buy the code you should call T-Mobile though to see if they can do it for you anyway, sometimes they're cool about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called tmobile and gave them my imei # and they shot me an email about an hour later.. (TMobile did) I followed their directions and used TMobile unlock app on phone to get permanete unlock then I rooted with magisk. On metro now and all is good. I paid nothing ...
Hi,
I am looking for a guide to unlocking a Verizon S10+ chip version to a Movistar career from Mexico, are this is possible? I would like to load the official global fw version if it is possible.
Thanks! In advance.
hackerjj22 said:
Hi,
I am looking for a guide to unlocking a Verizon S10+ chip version to a Movistar career from Mexico, are this is possible? I would like to load the official global fw version if it is possible.
Thanks! In advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moviestar career from Mexico? You failed to mention what model phone you have exactly since everyone knows the US models can't be unlocked.
Tel864 said:
Moviestar career from Mexico? You failed to mention what model phone you have exactly since everyone knows the US models can't be unlocked.
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Click to collapse
The model is SM-G9750U, yes Movistar from Mexico. I found this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...ow-to-carrier-unlock-stock-sm-g955u1-t3778162 and also this another one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/sm-g975u-firmware-downloads-tmo-spr-att-t3908657.
Do you think this could work?
Thank you!
Tel864 said:
Moviestar career from Mexico? You failed to mention what model phone you have exactly since everyone knows the US models can't be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's asking for a SIM unlock, not bootloader unlock, and the Verizon device (as he mentioned, just added a 0 to the model #) gets unlocked naturally after you insert an active SIM into it. Do you know anyone in the US with a Verizon account? It should take a few minutes.
entropism said:
He's asking for a SIM unlock, not bootloader unlock, and the Verizon device (as he mentioned, just added a 0 to the model #) gets unlocked naturally after you insert an active SIM into it. Do you know anyone in the US with a Verizon account? It should take a few minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, probably... Do you have any guide to do it? I understand that login to the portal of Verizon and put the IMEI to get the unblock code, correct?
Thank you, I really appreciate your help!
No. You put an active SIM into the device and it unlocks. There's no code request.
entropism said:
No. You put an active SIM into the device and it unlocks. There's no code request.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Thank you, I will give it a try when I have the device. When does it request an unlock code?
It doesn't. You put an active Verizon SIM in, and it unlocks. Then you can use any SIM you want in it. That's it.
entropism said:
It doesn't. You put an active Verizon SIM in, and it unlocks. Then you can use any SIM you want in it. That's it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So first I need to boot with a Verizon SIM and then power off and put the Movistar sim?
Hello,
Once I put my Movistar Sim, I receive a message "Sorry your device can´t be activated on another carrier´s network right now. For help, contact Verizon at ....."
Any suggestion?
Thanks in advance!
I honestly thought this guy was going to Mexico to pursue his career by becoming a movie star.
Hi,
An update from unlockunit.com:
Hi Hackerjj,
Unfortunately, if you cannot find your Phone Model, Country or Network listed on our website, we are unable to generate the unlocking codes for your device.
If you get the message ‘’Unavailable’’ after entering the order details on our website, one of the below situations may occur:
1. Your phone is locked within a CDMA and not a GSM network (you can check on www.gsmarena.com if your phone is a CDMA model)
2. Your phone is not part of the networks/countries that we currently unlock
In order to receive the correct unlock code, it’s very important that you select the correct country and network you originally bought your phone from. In case you place an order with the incorrect order details, we will not be able to refund your payment.
We are constantly improving our service and we hope that very soon we will start to offer unlocking codes for devices locked to Verizon, U.S.A. such as yours.
Thank you for your collaboration and we apologize we couldn't help you this time.
Have a great day!
Kind regards,
Ionut Z.
Do you think following this guide, (in case that is compatible with the G9750U could works to unlock?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...m-beyondrom-v3-1-t3942112/page35#post80800765
hackerjj22 said:
Do you think following this guide, (in case that is compatible with the G9750U could works to unlock?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...m-beyondrom-v3-1-t3942112/page35#post80800765
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe it would change your IMEI.
It needs an active Verizon sim in it for 24 to 48 hours before it will umlock. Once unlocked it should receive a message saying so.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
It needs an active Verizon sim in it for 24 to 48 hours before it will umlock. Once unlocked it should receive a message saying so.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! - I do not have any Verizon chip, probably I can buy one from eBay, but one thing is that probably does not be activated due I am right now on Mexico. Thanks again!
matt0323 said:
I honestly thought this guy was going to Mexico to pursue his career by becoming a movie star.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:laugh::laugh::laugh: Me too :silly:
jwarrior319 said:
It needs an active Verizon sim in it for 24 to 48 hours before it will umlock. Once unlocked it should receive a message saying so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not true.. i never understood why people will come in here and trust anything anyone says when it comes to sim unlocking lol..
verizon unlock policy states to prevent theft/fraud users are required to activate the device with verizon then after 60 days the device will be unlocked..
if his verizon purchased g975u was never activated on verizon then he hasnt even started his 60 day wait period.. verizon specifically implemented this policy because of people doing what the op is doing... purchase a phone for cheap somehow then use it on some other carrier/network without ever using verizon..
i am sure they had lots of theft and fraud going on with users scamming vzw devices for cheap then reselling for profit since they were unlocked theyd work anywhere out thebox so thisis their way of trying to combat that..
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy
hackerjj22 said:
Do you think following this guide, (in case that is compatible with the G9750U could works to unlock?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...m-beyondrom-v3-1-t3942112/page35#post80800765
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bro, your device isnt a "g9750u" its a g975u.. theres no such thing as a g9750u lol.. also, flashing a rom wont unlock the phone.. also, you cant flash any custom roms anyways since u have alockedbl and no, ur device is not bl unlockable either
elliwigy said:
not true.. i never understood why people will come in here and trust anything anyone says when it comes to sim unlocking lol..
verizon unlock policy states to prevent theft/fraud users are required to activate the device with verizon then after 60 days the device will be unlocked..
if his verizon purchased g975u was never activated on verizon then he hasnt even started his 60 day wait period.. verizon specifically implemented this policy because of people doing what the op is doing... purchase a phone for cheap somehow then use it on some other carrier/network without ever using verizon..
i am sure they had lots of theft and fraud going on with users scamming vzw devices for cheap then reselling for profit since they were unlocked theyd work anywhere out thebox so thisis their way of trying to combat that..
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy
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Click to collapse
Thanks! I had bought a Verizon Sim, it is on the way, I think I will receive it in 2 weeks, after that we will know it the cellphone is unlockable. This is the last thing I can do, I think this cellphone is un-rootable also a pain. Another way is to use this provider, but I have not completely trust and is very expensive. https://store.unlockboot.com/remote-unlock-service/