I believe they come SIM unlocked but will they lock to a carrier once I insert the carriers SIM?
If they are like the S7 variants then they shouldn't be locked, at least the Verizon kind. I think Sprint locks theirs down but I'm not entirely sure as I don't have Sprint.
cantenna said:
I believe they come SIM unlocked but will they lock to a carrier once I insert the carriers SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They aren't selling the carrier-free version yet. You have to select a carrier when you order. But others have said that if you order say a AT&T version and initialize it with a T-Mobile SIM it takes on the s/w of a T-Mobile phone. I wonder what happens if you initialize it with a SIM from other than the four big carriers? Or if you can? Anyway, if they do end up selling a carrier-free version beware. The S7 equivalent got updates that lagged even the slowness of the carriers.
Thanks for the replies, i should mention i have purchased the phone already from samsung australia, it was sold as unlocked.
Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk
Other than tier 1? US sold models will support regional/tier2-3.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
dfc849 said:
Other than tier 1? US sold models will support regional/tier2-3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont know what you mean?
Anyways, in Canada, the process was;
Buy direct from Samsung, they give you the phone unlocked but the second you insert a carriers sim card the phone auto-lock to that carrier. However, because the phone you purchase from Samsung is supposed to be unlocked, at POS they also give you the SIM unlock codes with the phone to undo the damage.
It doesn't sound like this is how it works in Australia, when Samsung sells a phone unlocked, they have already applied the codes to the phone?
Related
You can't.
You can call Sprint and they can unlock it for you or you can purchase an already unlocked phone.
YES Sprint phones ARE international CAPABLE but have a CDMA CARD. Get it unlocked through SPRINT.
The carrier must unlock your SIM to have GSM capabilities. Period.
There's no magical code, no night gnome who can give you international capabilities, there is no work around. Your card defines your capabilities.
Glad we got that cleared up. Lets stop asking now, shall we? Please?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
babyshrimps said:
You can't.
You can call Sprint and they can unlock it for you or you can purchase an already unlocked phone.
YES Sprint phones ARE international CAPABLE but have a CDMA CARD. Get it unlocked through SPRINT.
The carrier must unlock your SIM to have GSM capabilities. Period.
There's no magical code, no night gnome who can give you international capabilities, there is no work around. Your card defines your capabilities.
Glad we got that cleared up. Lets stop asking now, shall we? Please?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is wrong. You can. Just won't work on AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Every other SIM(international) is unlocked for use as long as the SIM slot itself is unlocked.
Source: The Sprint GS4 in my hand.
Interesting. I'll let my co workers at Sprint know
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
autoprime said:
This is wrong. You can. Just won't work on AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Every other SIM(international) is unlocked for use as long as the SIM slot itself is unlocked.
Source: The Sprint GS4 in my hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that was the case more people would be saying "Go into settings and unlock UICC and bam all set international."
The very first releases from Samsung to Sprint - like mine - were actually international, however most of the employees scooped the oops devices. Those purchased at Best Buy still have intermittent unlocked devices 1:20). In the chance you got lucky then NO we don't need to unlock it but yes, for 90% of the S IV population yes, unfortunately there's a very good chance we do. If this was the case the threads would have ceased to continue resurfacing.
So either tell the people so they stop asking or continue ignoring them.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
babyshrimps said:
If that was the case more people would be saying "Go into settings and unlock UICC and bam all set international."
The very first releases from Samsung to Sprint - like mine - were actually international, however most of the employees scooped the oops devices. Those purchased at Best Buy still have intermittent unlocked devices 1:20). In the chance you got lucky then NO we don't need to unlock it but yes, for 90% of the S IV population yes, unfortunately there's a very good chance we do. If this was the case the threads would have ceased to continue resurfacing.
So either tell the people so they stop asking or continue ignoring them.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after 90 days Sprint unlocks them when you ask the international department. My phone came sim locked. Had the invalid sim error and everything. It was then unlocked. I have had multiple GS4's unlocked. No more sim error. International sims confirmed working.
the issue is that not everyone asking has waited 90 days. There's a good number of people that have this phone and are't even using Sprint as their carrier. This is where most of the questions and confusion comes from.. those two groups. Then there are the last two groups... those who have been but (incorrectly flagged as unlocked but no true unlock was performed OTA... and those who are just like me that have unlocked and used the device overseas.
Since there's not a ton of Sprint users that have used their device overseas... after waiting 90 days... and being unlocked properly OTA... we arent seeing lots of posts about success... but they exist. Also, you aren't accounting for when the device's unlock method goes public and Sprint is no longer needed. That's the real goal behind all of the unlock questions. How can the phone be hacked to bypass the sim lock. Then everyone can unlock at their own free will. Then the next project will come... getting the unlocked GS4s working on ATT/TMO(something I've already started working on). If you've been paying attention to the HTC forums.. they have just figured out unlock method without needing Sprints help. This was after 80+ pages of people saying it wasnt possible and failed attempts.
You mention Best Buy devices... is there something in the system not allowing anyone that purchased a phone there to not be unlocked? You mention a first batch of phones maybe working... but my most recent GS4 is 2 weeks old.. so surely thats not from the first batch... yet still unlockable.
@autoprime
so if I want to check if my phone came unlocked as you say one of your many gs4's did. All I would have to do would be to buy an international sim from eBay, or amazon if available and pop it in. Then if I don't get the sim error notification, I am unlocked?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
daniel4653 said:
@autoprime
so if I want to check if my phone came unlocked as you say one of your many gs4's did. All I would have to do would be to buy an international sim from eBay, or amazon if available and pop it in. Then if I don't get the sim error notification, I am unlocked?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
none of my phones came unlocked out of the box. they were all unlocked after. then tested with GSM sims... unlock confirmed working. That was my point in responding in this thread... so people knew an unlock was possible.. despite what the OP suggests.
you can use any non-sprint sim card to test if you are unlocked... even AT&T or Tmobile. If you are unlocked.. you wont get a sim card error after booting up with the new sim in. if you get the error, youre not unlocked.
Hey, sorry if this is discussed in another thread, but I read a few and couldn't find the answer.
I'm on ATT, but I want to have an unlocked bootloader, so if I buy the Tmobile version for full price online can I just put my ATT sim card in there and it will work? Also will I be able to get LTE?
Pikezer1337 said:
Hey, sorry if this is discussed in another thread, but I read a few and couldn't find the answer.
I'm on ATT, but I want to have an unlocked bootloader, so if I buy the Tmobile version for full price online can I just put my ATT sim card in there and it will work? Also will I be able to get LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe it is that easy. YOu either need to get Tmobile to Unlock the phone so you can move it to another carrier or pay someone online to unlock it - I don't think you can just switch sim cards unless you have first unlocked the phone. (I am not talking about unlocking the bootloader - that is something else entirely - TMOBILE probably won't lock theirs like ATT does - but the phone itself is locked to the carrier until you get it unlocked)
mocsab said:
I don't believe it is that easy. YOu either need to get Tmobile to Unlock the phone so you can move it to another carrier or pay someone online to unlock it - I don't think you can just switch sim cards unless you have first unlocked the phone. (I am not talking about unlocking the bootloader - that is something else entirely - TMOBILE probably won't lock theirs like ATT does - but the phone itself is locked to the carrier until you get it unlocked)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if I buy it from Negri online it says it already comes unlocked. So since it is unlocked then is it able to be used on ATT, or is it only unlocked for Tmobile?
Pikezer1337 said:
Well if I buy it from Negri online it says it already comes unlocked. So since it is unlocked then is it able to be used on ATT, or is it only unlocked for Tmobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlocked from Negri should work without issues
apascual89 said:
The unlocked from Negri should work without issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I should still have LTE?
Pikezer1337 said:
Well if I buy it from Negri online it says it already comes unlocked. So since it is unlocked then is it able to be used on ATT, or is it only unlocked for Tmobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy it from TMOBILE it is probably locked but there are a bunch of places you can buy unlocked Note 3's - plus yiou can always unlock the MOBILE NOTE 3 either with TOMOBILEs help or thru an online service.
apascual89 said:
The unlocked from Negri should work without issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plus I believe the Negri version is cheaper.
Pikezer1337 said:
And I should still have LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you should. It has the bands to support it. Keyword should until someone with device on hand confirms it.
I plan on walking in Wednesday afternoon to a T-Mobile store, purchasing two Note 3s at full price (one black, one white) and then immediately using them both on AT&T. Actually one phone on AT&T and the other on AIO Wireless (AT&T network).
My history is with Verizon and Sprint so I'm not 100% sure about all the specifics of SIM cards.
I'd imagine I'll ask if its SIM locked, hopefully they say no and I'll be on my way. But if it is carrier SIM locked, I just ask them to unlock the device? Is this normal? Does anyone see any issues with this?
TerryNova said:
I plan on walking in Wednesday afternoon to a T-Mobile store, purchasing two Note 3s at full price (one black, one white) and then immediately using them both on AT&T. Actually one phone on AT&T and the other on AIO Wireless (AT&T network).
My history is with Verizon and Sprint so I'm not 100% sure about all the specifics of SIM cards.
I'd imagine I'll ask if its SIM locked, hopefully they say no and I'll be on my way. But if it is carrier SIM locked, I just ask them to unlock the device? Is this normal? Does anyone see any issues with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont think they will be selling the device alone at full price anytime soon..
i ordered mine from negri and overnighted it so i am hoping to get it wensday/thursday. will post back with results but if it is unlocked fcc confirms which bands it works with so there should be no issues at all.
TerryNova said:
I plan on walking in Wednesday afternoon to a T-Mobile store, purchasing two Note 3s at full price (one black, one white) and then immediately using them both on AT&T. Actually one phone on AT&T and the other on AIO Wireless (AT&T network).
My history is with Verizon and Sprint so I'm not 100% sure about all the specifics of SIM cards.
I'd imagine I'll ask if its SIM locked, hopefully they say no and I'll be on my way. But if it is carrier SIM locked, I just ask them to unlock the device? Is this normal? Does anyone see any issues with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I believe in-store, T-mobile requires you to have service with them to buy a phone at full price (even pre-paid service). So you'd have to signup for the cheapest one (I think like $30/mo), buy the phone, and cancel right away. However they still charge you for the first month.
However they should unlock it no issues (though you may have to call - don't know about t-mobile).
This was my experience at a T-mobile corporate store, you may have better luck at a franchise store.
dawheat said:
Yeah I believe in-store, T-mobile requires you to have service with them to buy a phone at full price (even pre-paid service). So you'd have to signup for the cheapest one (I think like $30/mo), buy the phone, and cancel right away. However they still charge you for the first month.
However they should unlock it no issues (though you may have to call - don't know about t-mobile).
This was my experience at a T-mobile corporate store, you may have better luck at a franchise store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone know where to get the Tmobile version in white? Full price. Negri seems to sell the blk version only.
daraj said:
Anyone know where to get the Tmobile version in white? Full price. Negri seems to sell the blk version only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully Negri gets them in stock eventually.
Pikezer1337 said:
Hey, sorry if this is discussed in another thread, but I read a few and couldn't find the answer.
I'm on ATT, but I want to have an unlocked bootloader, so if I buy the Tmobile version for full price online can I just put my ATT sim card in there and it will work? Also will I be able to get LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. I think these will precisely answer your questions about 3G/4G compatabilities between all US models (including ATT and TMo) for use in the US and abroad. A lot of people seem to think it has immensely clarified their concerns. It's partially based on FCC filings as well as documents from T-Mobile so is as official as it gets.
[Q] Which USA Note 3 Variant to get?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45794297#post45794297
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45807074#post45807074
Galaxy Note 3 AWS 1700/2100 Users Thread (T-mobile, Windmobile, Mobilicity)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46032280#post46032280
Best wishes.
I'm looking to get an s5 for use in north america. My sim card is using AT&T towers. I want a bootloader that allows unlocking using "fastboot oem unlock" or a similar command; no workarounds like loki. I will be buying outright, not carrier subsidizing for 2 years. Given these criteria, which model numbers should I be considering?
I've heard that the t-mobile one has the unlockable bootloader. Does it support all the bands to use AT&T towers?
I've seen more than one model number for international units. Are all the bootloaders unlockable? What's the deal with the region-locking? Will some of them work better for me than the others?
gianptune said:
I'm looking to get an s5 for use in north america. My sim card is using AT&T towers. I want a bootloader that allows unlocking using "fastboot oem unlock" or a similar command; no workarounds like loki. I will be buying outright, not carrier subsidizing for 2 years. Given these criteria, which model numbers should I be considering?
I've heard that the t-mobile one has the unlockable bootloader. Does it support all the bands to use AT&T towers?
I've seen more than one model number for international units. Are all the bootloaders unlockable? What's the deal with the region-locking? Will some of them work better for me than the others?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no unlocking of bootloaders. It's either unlocked, or locked from the factory.
To answer your question, get the G900T (the tmobile version). You can get this at costco, best buy, target, .... and of course a tmobile store itself. It supports all of AT&T's bands and more.
aooga said:
There is no unlocking of bootloaders. It's either unlocked, or locked from the factory.
To answer your question, get the G900T (the tmobile version). You can get this at costco, best buy, target, .... and of course a tmobile store itself. It supports all of AT&T's bands and more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best Buy doesn't carry T Mobile phones except I prepaid, so they can't buy it there.
joshua.justice said:
Best Buy doesn't carry T Mobile phones except I prepaid, so they can't buy it there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the g900t and have been using it on att networks. I bought the phone unlocked but new beside that on ebay. I did have to play with some different apns to get it to take on different towers. I had some issues while traveling in different cities that I wouldn't get data. But I think I got the issue fixed. Just took the 133mb ota, hoping that it doesn't mess with the cell unlock or keep me from rooting. Well so far it hasn't messed with the carrier unlock
joshua.justice said:
Best Buy doesn't carry T Mobile phones except I prepaid, so they can't buy it there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird. Mine did. Just buy it at Costco or a tmo store. I just bought it from a tmobile store. Went through really easily.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
aooga said:
Weird. Mine did. Just buy it at Costco or a tmo store. I just bought it from a tmobile store. Went through really easily.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the tmobile store told me that they would not unlock a new phone like this for at least 6 months even if you buy it outright. So if you do that plan on unlocking it with one of the many websites that do it
aklbeach said:
the tmobile store told me that they would not unlock a new phone like this for at least 6 months even if you buy it outright. So if you do that plan on unlocking it with one of the many websites that do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i'm on tmobile so I didn't need them to unlock anything, but you're right, they won't unlock it so the OP will need to use some unlocking site to use it on ATT.
So a couple days ago I had a live chat with one of the agent about whether the phone I ordered from official website will come unlocked or not and she said that it will be unlocked. I just got my phone today and just before I decide to put the sim card in, I saw a video from LinusTechTips saying that it will lock to the carrier that the first sim you put in belongs to... That's not cool, not only because I need to spend an additional 15-20 bucks to unlock it, also I will be getting OTAs from carrier which is much slower than straight from Samsung. So I haven't put a sim card in it and is there a way that I can prevent my phone from swapping to a carrier rom? I can do a few things now on my phone such as disable system packages and services, without avoiding my warranty.
Anyone in Canada (well, anywhere) getting an 950/955 W have put their sim card in the phone? What did you guys get when you put in the sim card?
I should get my phone today. My shipping notice included the unlock code, didn't yours or did it not work? It also described the process were it would initially carrier lock. My plan is to put my Virgin SIM card in then go to wireless wave and use a Rogers SIM to carrier unlock. I have done that before. Since I didn't purchase through a carrier updates shouldn't be through the carrier but time will tell. The only carrier stuff will be what is included in the SIM card.
CASz said:
I should get my phone today. My shipping notice included the unlock code, didn't yours or did it not work? It also described the process were it would initially carrier lock. My plan is to put my Virgin SIM card in then go to wireless wave and use a Rogers SIM to carrier unlock. I have done that before. Since I didn't purchase through a carrier updates shouldn't be through the carrier but time will tell. The only carrier stuff will be what is included in the SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol thanks, Just took a closer look to my shipping notice. I got the unlock code too. But I'm still worried that the update speed will be slow as hell. I'm on Fido, as far as I know, we usually get update a month after the international version does..
If you bought your from from samsung you should of gotten an unlock code from techdata when they sent you the tracking number so the sim lock is irrelevant.
Also all the updates come from samsung, not bell or rogers, they simply give the go ahead for samsung to release their firmware, bell is the quickest and the slowest is the non-carrier xac version so if you have 711/sears/public mobile or those type of providers expect to get any updates dead last. You can change your csc to bell if you want, you'll get 3 bell apps but they can be disabled.
peachpuff said:
If you bought your from from samsung you should of gotten an unlock code from techdata when they sent you the tracking number so the sim lock is irrelevant.
Also all the updates come from samsung, not bell or rogers, they simply give the go ahead for samsung to release their firmware, bell is the quickest and the slowest is the non-carrier xac version so if you have 711/sears/public mobile or those type of providers expect to get any updates dead last. You can change your csc to bell if you want, you'll get 3 bell apps but they can be disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi peachpuff the comment about receiving an unlock code in the shipping confirmation, does that only apply to Canadian orders?
mredamon said:
Hi peachpuff the comment about receiving an unlock code in the shipping confirmation, does that only apply to Canadian orders?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes as far as i know, in the US you choose your carrier first, in canada you don't on samsungs website.
Yeah I saw Linus vid. So the s8 will lock to the first carrier sim inserted?
Hi,
So I purchased my phone directly from Samsung here in the UK and therefore assume its an unlocked variant. I am using a vodafone SIM in there currently but I was wondering if this has now locked the phone to Vodafone or if it is still unlocked so that I can use it abroad with SIM's overseas?
Thanks.
Sundawg89 said:
Hi,
So I purchased my phone directly from Samsung here in the UK and therefore assume its an unlocked variant. I am using a vodafone SIM in there currently but I was wondering if this has now locked the phone to Vodafone or if it is still unlocked so that I can use it abroad with SIM's overseas?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked means unlocked. Phones sold and distributed by Samsung directly are almost always unlocked. The U.S. being an exception.
If you bought it from Samsung UK, it's unlocked. However, if you are not already aware, just ensure that before you use the phone overseas, or in any region other than the one you bought it from, you complete a five minute call.
I'll just quote Samsung's own sticker:
To use sim cards from other regions a cumulative call over five minutes must first be made with the SIM card from European operators.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: http://www.phonearena.com/news/You-...ore-the-Galaxy-S5-is-unlocked-for-use_id55042
(even though this article is written about the S5, it still applies)
Check before you leave by trying a SIM from another carrier. I got my S8 from Samsung (Canada) It was unlocked but locked to the first carrier SIM I put in. Then I had to use the unlock code included with my shipping notice to unlock.
I purchased an S6 through Expansys when they were in Canada. I got the UAE model and it was unlocked. I never used it on a network from there however the moment I turned it on it updated so maybe that's why.