Database Users

T-Mobile US requires credit check for "off-contract" tab

Just checked out the GT in a local store. Cute hardware. But they wouldn't sell it to me without passport and social security number. So much for picking up a U.S. tab while on holidays...

Were you trying to buy it at the off contract price? Were you paying cash?

I definitely wanted the "off-contract" GT. I would have been happy to pay cash, but we didn't get that far...
PS: On the t-mobile web page you need to pick an "even more" or "even more plus" plan to order.

Are you visiting friends in the States? If so, have them buy it for you. Or try a different T-mobile corporate store.

They can sell it to you without any credit check just like any item in the store if you are paying up front. Maybe they were just trying to make more money and/or save it for somebody who was going to sign up for service. Sad but it happens.

I just brought mine
I just brought one from tmobile store (no contract), and didn't ask for any credit check

I called up the other stores in town and they do require you to get at least one month of service with it. Which then entails a credit check, even if its only month-to-month. I guess ahbvrh was just lucky and ran into a CSR who wasn't aware of these rules. Yay!

you can simply buy a prepaid data plan (10$) and that will save you the credit check.
Im still loooking for the tmobile sim unlock code so I can use my existing corporate sim card which is AT&T

ahbvrh said:
you can simply buy a prepaid data plan (10$) and that will save you the credit check.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a current T-mobile prepaid user. I tried buying the tab with and without telling them my t-mobile number, but no luck...
ahbvrh said:
Im still loooking for the tmobile sim unlock code so I can use my existing corporate sim card which is AT&T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying that the 599.- "off-contract" GT is sim-locked to t-mobile US?? That would be insane...

That's no policy of Tmobile but maybe something they are doing in that region or those particular stores. There is no policy that says you have to buy a month of service for any device on tmobile now that they have the prepaid webconnect plans too. Even before that though you never needed to sign up for service to just buy a device its just expensive.

Yes,it locked for tmobile,but im sure it is possible to find unlock code somewhete

If you pay full invoice price its still sim locked but you are allowed to request the sim unlock code from tmobile. Just one catch you gotta have an account with tmobile to process that request.

That good to know,I just faxed them my recipt ,I will see if they will send me the unlock .....

Good luck! The t-mo web page say: http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm51885.xml
For customers with a T-Mobile Postpaid Plan, T-Mobile will provide the SIM Unlock Code upon request to eligible customers, provided the requesting customer has a minimum of 40 days of active service with T-Mobile.
To me, that sounds like you have to wait >1 month... Yay!

it seem this is only for postpaid users....,I just bought prepaid data plan....
I'm sure there is a way to unlock using root or something

ahbvrh said:
it seem this is only for postpaid users....,I just bought prepaid data plan....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah good point, you are the lucky one that got one on prepaid. Though in that case its even worse, and the same page says:
For customers with a T-Mobile Prepaid Plan, T-Mobile will provide the SIM Unlock Code upon request to eligible customers, provided the requesting customer has a minimum of 60 days of active service with T-Mobile and either a Prepaid Plan account balance of at least $10.00 or a prior refill within the last 30 days.
However, a quick google search brings up various pages that send you an unlock code for $$$...

I dont mind paying few extra bucks for gettong the unlock code.
googling it up show only one site that promise unlock code for the galaxy tab,but it is for the sprint vetsion,and I'm not sure it will work on the tmobile one...

Confused! I thought CDMA devices were never locked and if you wanted to change carrier (eg Sprint to Verizon) you just needed to get the new carrier to register the devices ESN on their network (which is often easier said than done!).
Regards,
Dave

Tmobile is GSM
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I know. I was referring to the previous poster who mentioned unlock codes for sprint, which CDMA.
Regards,
Dave

My troubles getting the tmobile/walmart $30 5gb plan

i am going to go off on quite a story here but i hope that my struggles and experience might save someone my troubles.
to start off i was on Verizon. I had the thunderbolt w/ grandfathered unlimited data plan. it was unlimited text/data but no minutes on plan. Any used minutes were $0.25 so i was basically paying $80-$90/mo for the exact same plan as this new tmo/walmart one... plus it was $50 less!
if i would have known the hassle i was about to go through i just might have stayed with verizon and waited for the nexus... If you are not planning to port a number this process might go a lot easier.
this is my experience...
To start the whole process I pulled the trigger on a local SGSII for a steal on craigslist. i thought about how to leave verizon for a few days then decided to go for it. I purchased a sim kit from tmobile.com but was unable to wait for the SIM kit (over a week to ship!) i head over to a local tmobile B&M store. i told them the plan i wanted and show them online, they said they had heard ( i call BS) of it and that i could go online and choose it. They activate the SIM and began the number port from verizon. I was told to go online at home and select the plan i wanted, so i get home and go online to select my plan, but it isn't available. Every other plan was available but not the $30 5gb plan!
I called tmo support (prepaid support is an offshore callcenter) and was told because the SIM card was activated in store i was not eligible to get this plan. i was told i could purchase another SIM kit and it would work with no problems and i would still be able to port my number (that was already in the process).
At this point i visited another tmobile store and was successfully able to swap the activated SIM kit for an unactivated one. Only after several hours (and reps over the phone) and a trip to Walmart i find this in store bought SIM would not work either.
A SIM ACTIVATION KIT PURCHASED IN A B&M TMO STORE WILL NOT WORK
FOR THIS PLAN YOU MUST PURCHASE A SIM ACTIVATION KIT FROM TMOBILE.COM OR WALMART
ok. ok. now that the confusion was cleared (i was told differently by phone and in store reps) off i head to a local Walmart for the second time. surprise surprise, for the second they were clueless of this plan and were absolutely no help at all.
Next day my SIM kit from tmobile.com finally arrives!!! YES! at this point i am pretty sure this is the only way and this will go fine and i will be activated immediately through my.tmobile.com. i go online to activate. i enter all my info and activation code. I am presented with plan options and BINGO the $30 5gb plan is there! I choose the plan click next and get a "Review your order and submit" page. when clicking on "submit" the page just errors out. FAHHHHHH! i tried again and again and from 3 computers. same error at the same place!!!!! I call support and of course their response is "we can not activate this plan over the phone. you must activate online or at walmart" and when i replied "but neither of these options are working for me!!!!!!!!!" the call mysterioulsy dropped. at this time its 4 days from starting the number port from the original SIM and i start worrying about losing my ported number... eventually (several reps and hours later) I was able to get a CS rep on the phone that put me on hold very willing to help and found a way to get me on the correct plan. I then get transfered to the number porting dept to get my number moved to this correct account. WHEW! that evening everything is working fine and im getting data and relieved to finally have this experience behind me. I am just waiting for the number port to go through then i am done and on the road to $50 savings a month! not so fast...
The next day as soon as i noticed the number port went through i got a text from TMO that i had reached my data limit!?! WTF how could i go through 5gb in a week, most of it w/o service? i used the tmobile app to check my data usage and found they changed my plan on me!!! now i have the other $30 plan with like 100mb data! i call customer support furious! little good does that do. another day on the phone and multiple hangups later i was able to find someone who said i was basically screwed and that i would have to order a new SIM online and start over. WTF!?!?!?!?!
at this point im done fighting and just order another SIM.
after some research i call back to discuss this whole ordeal w CS and find out how they will transfer my $100 deposited to this bad account to my new account when i get the new SIM in the mail. i finally found a simpathetic rep who fought to get this fixed. using my my original activation code for verification that the plan was available (from the 1st sim purchased online) the rep found a manager that was able to over ride the plan back to the correct $30 5gb plan. I refused my new (replacement)SIM when it arrived and was credited the money back. Its been almost 2 weeks now and everything seems ok... FINGERS CROSSED!
some things to i found that you should know:
A SIM ACTIVATION KIT PURCHASED IN A B&M TMO STORE WILL NOT WORK
FOR THIS PLAN YOU MUST PURCHASE A SIM ACTIVATION KIT FROM TMOBILE.COM OR WALMART
If you purchase in B&M store IT WILL NOT WORK
A FAMILY MOBILE SIM KIT WILL NOT WORK
if you are a current tmobile customer they WILL NOT PORT YOUR NUMBER.
TLDR?
1. do not expect a port of your current tmo number.
2. purchase your sim kit from tmobile.com
3. hope like hell they have the kinks out of this system!

WOW! that's quite a horror nightmarish story you got there for Halloween
i feel for yah
most people would have quit at that point and moved on to another company

AllGamer said:
WOW! that's quite a horror nightmarish story you got there for Halloween
i feel for yah
most people would have quit at that point and moved on to another company
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after dropping my unlimited data at verizon i figured i was pretty much screwed and any other company (AT&T and Sprint suck in DFW from my experience) it was gonna cost more for worse... I was pretty determined to get this plan working. i guess its the cheapo in me

My experience was super simple……after reading up online prior to attempting.
Walked into T-Mobile store after seeing Wal-Mart did not have the SIM only activation kits. I paid 10$ for the kit after insisting to the Tmo store that I did not need them to set me up with anything.
Went home then plugged in the EMI,SIM & Activation code to the T-Mobile website. Funded the account and picked the plan… Done
(using Google voice for my number)
Did not have to talk with anyone and the whole process took maybe an hour.

My experience is delightful too. Since i read about ur post, i have little bit of scare about the walmart prepaid SIM card and Tmobile prepaid SIM card.
Luckily, I been into the shop so many time. All the employee know me, when i get in...they thought i getting the 49.99 value family plan, but i tell them i got the $30 prepaid plan from walmart but walmart run out of SIM card and was told to get one from Tmobile store. They had their time, they were very puzzle when i told them. But there is one experience lady went online and read about the plan, and surprisingly, she manage to figure thing out. One thing she mentions is "they had to activate the SIM card through the Tmobile website instead of their system" I think that is what saved me.
From my experience, if you going to let Tmobile employee do this, be sure they know what they are doing and you know what they are doing.
---------- Post added at 12:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 AM ----------
btw, i join Tmobile Samsung Galaxy S2 family. Welcome me?
hahhahhahahah!

I did this today, didn't have any problems at all activating.
Followed the discussion on Slickdeals on this, and bought my sim card from Amazon for less than free, like 2 something, and it came with 3 something of T-Mobile credit on it.
I went onto the T-Mobile online activations website, and activated my sim card on the 5GB $30 plan. To pay I bought a discount refill pin that came instantly from CallingMart.
Smooth sailing all around.

theyownus said:
i am going to go off on quite a story here but i hope that my struggles and experience might save someone my troubles.
to start off i was on Verizon. I had the thunderbolt w/ grandfathered unlimited data plan. it was unlimited text/data but no minutes on plan. Any used minutes were $0.25 so i was basically paying $80-$90/mo for the exact same plan as this new tmo/walmart one... plus it was $50 less!
if i would have known the hassle i was about to go through i just might have stayed with verizon and waited for the nexus... If you are not planning to port a number this process might go a lot easier.
this is my experience...
To start the whole process I pulled the trigger on a local SGSII for a steal on craigslist. i thought about how to leave verizon for a few days then decided to go for it. I purchased a sim kit from tmobile.com but was unable to wait for the SIM kit (over a week to ship!) i head over to a local tmobile B&M store. i told them the plan i wanted and show them online, they said they had heard ( i call BS) of it and that i could go online and choose it. They activate the SIM and began the number port from verizon. I was told to go online at home and select the plan i wanted, so i get home and go online to select my plan, but it isn't available. Every other plan was available but not the $30 5gb plan!
I called tmo support (prepaid support is an offshore callcenter) and was told because the SIM card was activated in store i was not eligible to get this plan. i was told i could purchase another SIM kit and it would work with no problems and i would still be able to port my number (that was already in the process).
At this point i visited another tmobile store and was successfully able to swap the activated SIM kit for an unactivated one. Only after several hours (and reps over the phone) and a trip to Walmart i find this in store bought SIM would not work either.
A SIM ACTIVATION KIT PURCHASED IN A B&M TMO STORE WILL NOT WORK
FOR THIS PLAN YOU MUST PURCHASE A SIM ACTIVATION KIT FROM TMOBILE.COM OR WALMART
ok. ok. now that the confusion was cleared (i was told differently by phone and in store reps) off i head to a local Walmart for the second time. surprise surprise, for the second they were clueless of this plan and were absolutely no help at all.
Next day my SIM kit from tmobile.com finally arrives!!! YES! at this point i am pretty sure this is the only way and this will go fine and i will be activated immediately through my.tmobile.com. i go online to activate. i enter all my info and activation code. I am presented with plan options and BINGO the $30 5gb plan is there! I choose the plan click next and get a "Review your order and submit" page. when clicking on "submit" the page just errors out. FAHHHHHH! i tried again and again and from 3 computers. same error at the same place!!!!! I call support and of course their response is "we can not activate this plan over the phone. you must activate online or at walmart" and when i replied "but neither of these options are working for me!!!!!!!!!" the call mysterioulsy dropped. at this time its 4 days from starting the number port from the original SIM and i start worrying about losing my ported number... eventually (several reps and hours later) I was able to get a CS rep on the phone that put me on hold very willing to help and found a way to get me on the correct plan. I then get transfered to the number porting dept to get my number moved to this correct account. WHEW! that evening everything is working fine and im getting data and relieved to finally have this experience behind me. I am just waiting for the number port to go through then i am done and on the road to $50 savings a month! not so fast...
The next day as soon as i noticed the number port went through i got a text from TMO that i had reached my data limit!?! WTF how could i go through 5gb in a week, most of it w/o service? i used the tmobile app to check my data usage and found they changed my plan on me!!! now i have the other $30 plan with like 100mb data! i call customer support furious! little good does that do. another day on the phone and multiple hangups later i was able to find someone who said i was basically screwed and that i would have to order a new SIM online and start over. WTF!?!?!?!?!
at this point im done fighting and just order another SIM.
after some research i call back to discuss this whole ordeal w CS and find out how they will transfer my $100 deposited to this bad account to my new account when i get the new SIM in the mail. i finally found a simpathetic rep who fought to get this fixed. using my my original activation code for verification that the plan was available (from the 1st sim purchased online) the rep found a manager that was able to over ride the plan back to the correct $30 5gb plan. I refused my new (replacement)SIM when it arrived and was credited the money back. Its been almost 2 weeks now and everything seems ok... FINGERS CROSSED!
some things to i found that you should know:
A SIM ACTIVATION KIT PURCHASED IN A B&M TMO STORE WILL NOT WORK
FOR THIS PLAN YOU MUST PURCHASE A SIM ACTIVATION KIT FROM TMOBILE.COM OR WALMART
If you purchase in B&M store IT WILL NOT WORK
A FAMILY MOBILE SIM KIT WILL NOT WORK
if you are a current tmobile customer they WILL NOT PORT YOUR NUMBER.
TLDR?
1. do not expect a port of your current tmo number.
2. purchase your sim kit from tmobile.com
3. hope like hell they have the kinks out of this system!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you werent soo impatient you would'nt have has the problems you had, smh its only a week.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

I'd love to do a deal like this. How do you get the phone? They go for over $500! I'm getting one via T-Mobile corporate rate and it's still twice that $30 rate for only 2gb data,unlim text and 500 talk! I'd much rather have the $30 5g data unlim text 100 min deal....

Quite the horror story indeed...can't help but wonder if you had waited for your original sim in the mail if you would have had all these issues...

I really wish reps would read their email. But it may have been indirect you went to. This plan is only avalible at walmart and online. Tmobile retail stores have no way of activating this plan or switching you to it. If for some reason you change off of it there is no going back you will need to start again per the training materials provided by corporate. As for the number once a number is ported to tmobile no you cant port it again. They need to do a reuse request that can take up to 72 hours to complete. Glad its all working for you now and am very impressed you got prepaid to credit you anything.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

iloveandroid16 said:
If you werent soo impatient you would'nt have has the problems you had, smh its only a week.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This must be the most helpful answer in the history of xda! You win!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Born_Immaculate88 said:
Quite the horror story indeed...can't help but wonder if you had waited for your original sim in the mail if you would have had all these issues...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not as much trouble for sure, but remember after I received it I still ran into problems trying to activate online...
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Hotspot?
Can you get an Android phone to act as a hotspot with this plan?

Dang, I feel for you man.
I didn't have to go through all that though.
I was already a T-Mobile customer out of contract. I seen that the prepaid plans were so much cheaper than the 95 something I was paying a month, so I switched over to prepaid.
All I did was pick up a prepaid phone from Target that was $30, popped the prepaid sim card into my Galaxy S2, and activated it online with the $30 web only offer.
No hassle whatsoever
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

kikbuttcheerleader said:
All I did was pick up a prepaid phone from Target that was $30, popped the prepaid sim card into my Galaxy S2, and activated it online with the $30 web only offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you able to keep your old T-Mobile phone number, or did you need to activate with a new number?

My ordeal was not as bad as yours (for which sounds like a hell of a time.)
I purchased a $30 dollar phone from Wal-Mart the night prior to the $30 dollar plan being released.
Then purchased outright a GS2 from the local T-Mobile store, activated the SIM card on the $30 dollar pre-paid phone, then called T-Mobile support to port the number over.
I was quoted 24-48 hours, I was previously on Virgin Mobile with a Triumph and realized this really takes like 5 minutes.
After 48 hours I called and complained, they told me, it'll port over soon, no worries.
Called 24 hours after that, demanded to talk to the 'porting department' if there is one, and I talked to someone who did it right then and there, right to the point where he told me to reboot the phone and voila, my number was ported. From then it took about 4 hours to get full service/data, and a full 24 hours before I could go in and edit settings/profiles and stupid WebGuard settings on T-Mobile.com
Here's to hoping T-Mobile stays afloat and the pre-paid plan, If I have to port again i'm going to literally just call directly to the port department.
We all learn from these things, but the $30 plan is sooo worth it.

I'm on an unlimited family plan with my best friend right now & we're splitting the $150 bill, but he's been seriously pissing me off lately & I'm thinking of just telling him to go to hell & switching to this plan. Are there free night & weekend minutes or mobile to mobile with this? If not I'm thinking I could get around that with google voice & GrooveIP. Hmm.......

kabuk1 said:
Are there free night & weekend minutes or mobile to mobile with this? Hmm.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not, and I haven't dabbled with VOIP yet. I'll share what I find out

Yeah, it kind of went like that for me too... I was a post-paid customer (on the old Even More Plus, 500 & UL text/data for $60) and they converted me to pre-paid, but I couldn't pick the WM plan online. I had to order a SIM kit and wait for it to get here. Supposedly WM won't sell just the activation kit (I cannot confirm or deny this, didn't try).
I was told the whole time that I could port my old T-Mobile number over once it was done. That was wrong, basically ran into the same problem the OP had... I would lose the WM plan if I did. Not a huge deal to email all of my friends with a new number and put a voice mail message on the old number, small hassle to cut my monthly nut in half.
Keeping on forum topic, my new SGSII is pretty sweet!!

djmasters said:
Yeah, it kind of went like that for me too... I was a post-paid customer (on the old Even More Plus, 500 & UL text/data for $60) and they converted me to pre-paid, but I couldn't pick the WM plan online. I had to order a SIM kit and wait for it to get here. Supposedly WM won't sell just the activation kit (I cannot confirm or deny this, didn't try).
I was told the whole time that I could port my old T-Mobile number over once it was done. That was wrong, basically ran into the same problem the OP had... I would lose the WM plan if I did. Not a huge deal to email all of my friends with a new number and put a voice mail message on the old number, small hassle to cut my monthly nut in half.
Keeping on forum topic, my new SGSII is pretty sweet!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something to consider, unless you have already cancelled your post account, is to port your number out to another service provider without picking up hardware (to avoid restock fees/wasting a store's on-hand stock) then giving the activations department a ring and having them port in your number from X to replace the "temp" number you have now with the WM plan.

How to sim unlock galaxy s5?

How to....

BUMP.... Same question?
NOTE: this is a legal and legitimate question
I travel A LOT and have a box of 20 different (ACTIVE) sim cards, most places don't support AT&T (my US carrier) plus I want to keep the same foreign number that I had for the past 5 years. Anyway, I have a legitimate need and as such the carrier will unlock but their rules have apparently gotten really strict. [I flew to Canada when I bought my iPhone4 so as not to deal with this.]
T-Mobile requires 40 days of service or will unlock for military after the grace period (14 days) is over
AT&T requires 5 months of service
It just not right! Especially when I paid $720 for my phone -- the no contract price from TMobile ($660) plus 10% California tax.
I even paid this service (http://www.unlock-code-world.com) to unlock my phone and they came back after 2 days and said they couldn't do it. So, don't go to them for S5 although their price was REALLY good ($5.99).
So, what's a guy to do?
My plan is to return my phone to TMobile today and rebuy an AT&T one and try their customer service because I got no where with TMobile, even after requesting a supervisor.

I'd actually like to know this myself.
I don't want to root or flash any firmware, which is why I'd like to buy from the UK (as I've always had their firmware previously)
Happy to pay for an unlock code if that's the way to go, but are they reputable?

If you buy the phone from a online store (not a service provider) it will be unlocked. If you buy it under contract then it will be locked to the Network, at least Vodafone is.
I have tried to get an unlock code but the IMEI numbers are not in the databases yet. Most places online selling these are reputable and you get the code pretty quickly via e-mail, well if they can provide it that is.
For my phone, even Vodafone did not have the unlock code so have had to go back to Samsung for it.

alex_tytn said:
NOTE: this is a legal and legitimate question
I travel A LOT and have a box of 20 different (ACTIVE) sim cards, most places don't support AT&T (my US carrier) plus I want to keep the same foreign number that I had for the past 5 years. Anyway, I have a legitimate need and as such the carrier will unlock but their rules have apparently gotten really strict. [I flew to Canada when I bought my iPhone4 so as not to deal with this.]
T-Mobile requires 40 days of service or will unlock for military after the grace period (14 days) is over
AT&T requires 5 months of service
It just not right! Especially when I paid $720 for my phone -- the no contract price from TMobile ($660) plus 10% California tax.
I even paid this service (http://www.unlock-code-world.com) to unlock my phone and they came back after 2 days and said they couldn't do it. So, don't go to them for S5 although their price was REALLY good ($5.99).
So, what's a guy to do?
My plan is to return my phone to TMobile today and rebuy an AT&T one and try their customer service because I got no where with TMobile, even after requesting a supervisor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you paid full price call customer care and tell them that you need a sim unlock code for your phone I had my note 3 for a week not paid in full but on the EIP and I've been a long time customer I told them what I needed and they took my IMEI and emailed me back with an unlock code within 24 hours, they will do it for you easily since your phone is paid for trust me.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Personal rant. ;|
dawgboy1783 said:
If you paid full price call customer care and tell them that you need a sim unlock code for your phone I had my note 3 for a week not paid in full but on the EIP and I've been a long time customer I told them what I needed and they took my IMEI and emailed me back with an unlock code within 24 hours, they will do it for you easily since your phone is paid for trust me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not TMobile -- I called multiple times and even waited for a supervisor. PLUS multiple visits to the store.
I bought another one from AT&T yesterday and can hopefully get my money back from T-Mobile without a restocking fee (which I just learned about).
My whole S5 purchase has been quite a nightmare but the phone is cool.
Recapping...
Pre-ordered from Radio Shack to save $50 but their price was $100 more than AT&T so that was not good -- also forced to buy a $50 nonrefundable gift card in order to get the coupon. Then, they tell me later that the $50 coupon was only for people who bought plans but I clearly said that I wanted to pay full price and have no contract. [ Going back to talk to manager there to try and get them to give me my $50 deposit back. ]
Bought a phone from TMo for $720 (with tax) and they salesman told me it was unlocked. Multiple calls to TMobile, etc. no luck. [Going back to return that phone today.]
Bought the phone from AT&T yesterday only to find that I can't root it -- yes, they have a $35 restocking fee. Unlocking from them requires all these things but I'm hopeful that I can at least have that part.
TMo version (G900T) could be rooted -- and mine was so I'm hoping they miss that when I return it. AT&T version (G900A) has a locked bootloader so my understanding is that it will not ever be unlocked by the simple Chainfire method.

alex_tytn said:
Not TMobile -- I called multiple times and even waited for a supervisor. PLUS multiple visits to the store.
I bought another one from AT&T yesterday and can hopefully get my money back from T-Mobile without a restocking fee (which I just learned about).
My whole S5 purchase has been quite a nightmare but the phone is cool.
Recapping...
Pre-ordered from Radio Shack to save $50 but their price was $100 more than AT&T so that was not good -- also forced to buy a $50 nonrefundable gift card in order to get the coupon. Then, they tell me later that the $50 coupon was only for people who bought plans but I clearly said that I wanted to pay full price and have no contract. [ Going back to talk to manager there to try and get them to give me my $50 deposit back. ]
Bought a phone from TMo for $720 (with tax) and they salesman told me it was unlocked. Multiple calls to TMobile, etc. no luck. [Going back to return that phone today.]
Bought the phone from AT&T yesterday only to find that I can't root it -- yes, they have a $35 restocking fee. Unlocking from them requires all these things but I'm hopeful that I can at least have that part.
TMo version (G900T) could be rooted -- and mine was so I'm hoping they miss that when I return it. AT&T version (G900A) has a locked bootloader so my understanding is that it will not ever be unlocked by the simple Chainfire method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow man I cant beleive they wont give you an unlock code, they had no problem giving me mine and I have only made one payment on it so far, what exactly are you telling them and are you currently a tmobile customer?.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

dawgboy1783 said:
Wow man I cant beleive they wont give you an unlock code, they had no problem giving me mine and I have only made one payment on it so far, what exactly are you telling them and are you currently a tmobile customer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They said they'd unlock but I had to be a customer for 40 days -- no, I wasn't previously a customer. 40 days won't work for me because I have an AT&T GoPhone plan while in the US and I'm leaving this weekend. Besides, I didn't want to subscribe to the TMobile one which is waaaaay more expensive.
I spent $40 for two phones for 5 months while in the US. My wife and I don't talk/text a lot and I use Skype out for all my voice calls. It also seems that I always have Wifi in SoCal -- especially since I get my home internet from Time Warner and they give free wifi coverage.
$0.10 per minute and $0.20 per SMS and only when you use it. :good:
Sorry to hijack this thread.
I really want the same answer.
HOW TO SIM UNLOCK THE S5?

alex_tytn said:
They said they'd unlock but I had to be a customer for 40 days -- no, I wasn't previously a customer. 40 days won't work for me because I have an AT&T GoPhone plan while in the US and I'm leaving this weekend. Besides, I didn't want to subscribe to the TMobile one which is waaaaay more expensive.
I spent $40 for two phones for 5 months while in the US. My wife and I don't talk/text a lot and I use Skype out for all my voice calls. It also seems that I always have Wifi in SoCal -- especially since I get my home internet from Time Warner and they give free wifi coverage.
$0.10 per minute and $0.20 per SMS and only when you use it. :good:
Sorry to hijack this thread.
I really want the same answer.
HOW TO SIM UNLOCK THE S5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they are afraid that if they give you an unlock code and you unlock the phone then you will sell it, I think that was included in my conversation with customer support when I requested my unlock code but I assured them that was not my intentions, also being a customer for at least 40 days would makes sense, because I believe that I did read that in the support section for unlocking prerequisites, I wish I could help you but it seems the only method would be to buy an unlock code which I hear is a fast process and I've seen them advertized pretty cheap under $30.00 US, wich is not bad because if you ever decide to sell it, unlocked device's are always worth more.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60EsHfH6eVw

hemander said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60EsHfH6eVw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's about the only way for now.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

hemander said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60EsHfH6eVw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
Worked for me UK Vodafone handset.
Either all IMEI unlock codes have now been released to all databases or these are the only guys that have them at the moment. I tried a couple of online places last week and they did not have the unlock codes.

chippyuk said:
Thanks!
Worked for me UK Vodafone handset.
Either all IMEI unlock codes have now been released to all databases or these are the only guys that have them at the moment. I tried a couple of online places last week and they did not have the unlock codes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have on my web site mobileunlock24.com access to unlock galaxy s5 from All European networks unlocking code is ready up to 1 hour.

Would this somehow work on sprint?

goodboynyc said:
Would this somehow work on sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should do! Try it, if they cannot provide an unlock code they will refund you straight away.

I usually use this site: http://unlockphonenetwork.com/
They always when i had a phone to unlock they did it flawlessly.
I had a AT&T phone and needed to get it unlocked, found it cheaper then anywhere else.
Cellunlocker.net sells it for 29.99$
Unlockthaphone.com 34.99$
and they sell it for 24.99$ which is awesome!
Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVkhvWMQe08&list=UUxk75HVldBdY7jgRFlyfIcw
Hope ti helps you guys!
Cheers!

got my Note 4 unlocked

I just bought my note 4 about 3 days ago and called T Mobile to see if I could get unlock code (I paid full price) but have not heard back from them yet. Since I am leaving on a trip to Asia on Tuesday I decided to try cellunlocker.net and within a few hours or less they got me the unlock code. It cost about $30.00. Nice service.
Bill

bkkcnxsi said:
I just bought my note 4 about 3 days ago and called T Mobile to see if I could get unlock code (I paid full price) but have not heard back from them yet. Since I am leaving on a trip to Asia on Tuesday I decided to try cellunlocker.net and within a few hours or less they got me the unlock code. It cost about $30.00. Nice service.
Bill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used them as well and was very happy. I called up TMobile twice for it and both times they said they could not do it if the phone was never used on the TMobile network - so you took the right path.

msherman123 said:
I used them as well and was very happy. I called up TMobile twice for it and both times they said they could not do it if the phone was never used on the TMobile network - so you took the right path.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is their recent response to me a few days ago, paid full price for phone.
Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. We have received your SIM Unlock Request. Unfortunately, this subscriber is not eligible to receive the unlock code at this time. In order to be eligible, the IMEI must have usage by the mobile number requesting the unlock code and the account must have a minimum of two monthly service payments since first use of requested device.
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

MMakoto said:
This is their recent response to me a few days ago, paid full price for phone.
Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. We have received your SIM Unlock Request. Unfortunately, this subscriber is not eligible to receive the unlock code at this time. In order to be eligible, the IMEI must have usage by the mobile number requesting the unlock code and the account must have a minimum of two monthly service payments since first use of requested device.
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have been with TMO for almost 8 years so i have never had a problem with the last part but your IMEI must register on the network for them to unlock. However, i have gotten round this once by calling in and talking to the accounting depart i think it was. she looked up that the device was paid off in full and i told her i need the phone unlocked for business. depending on who you talk to when you call that department the IMEI being registered on the network doesnt matter. I will also state that when i made a regular request my unlock was denied but she got my unlock code sent the same/next day. I also have a history of unlocking all my phones and been with them for that long. but it never hurts to try right?

Mine unlocked in less than 20 minutes. Freedommobile.com
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

So just wait 2 months and call Tmo and they get it unlock for you?
On my last HTC One M7, they email me the unlock code within 1 day.

Some have gotten the unlock code without waiting two months, some have not. Depends on how T-mobile feels that day. I paid full price and they did not send me an unlock code. I had to use a web service to send me the unlock code.

I got the unlock code from tmobile. Took 3 times talking to them but got it eventually.

kendonsh said:
i have been with TMO for almost 8 years so i have never had a problem with the last part but your IMEI must register on the network for them to unlock. However, i have gotten round this once by calling in and talking to the accounting depart i think it was. she looked up that the device was paid off in full and i told her i need the phone unlocked for business. depending on who you talk to when you call that department the IMEI being registered on the network doesnt matter. I will also state that when i made a regular request my unlock was denied but she got my unlock code sent the same/next day. I also have a history of unlocking all my phones and been with them for that long. but it never hurts to try right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my first time was talking to csr, got rejected. yesterday i did the live chat and asked to unlock it again, told them it was for a business trip and phone has been paid. a few hours later i got the email with the unlock code. so i guess it really depends on which rep you are dealing with at that moment. btw, i have been with them for 8 1/2yrs.

I suppose my question to you guys simply, why? T-Mobile's outright purchased Note 4 can be used in say, India (can use t-mobile data/text while overseas). Are you saying that if the phone isn't 'unlocked' I cannot purchase a pre-paid SIM card from India and pop it in and it work? Is that why you guys are SIM unlocking? If I wanted to get mine SIM unlocked, will it affect anything with my use here in the states? Thanks all!

MMakoto said:
This is their recent response to me a few days ago, paid full price for phone.
Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. We have received your SIM Unlock Request. Unfortunately, this subscriber is not eligible to receive the unlock code at this time. In order to be eligible, the IMEI must have usage by the mobile number requesting the unlock code and the account must have a minimum of two monthly service payments since first use of requested device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just went through this with an iPhone.
Sadly, this is the current T-Mobile policy. Even if you pay full price for the phone you MUST have the phone in service in their network for 2 billing cycles or 40 days. Just then, and only then, they will unlock it. It doesn't matter if you've been with them for 8 years or 1 months, the 40 days of active service for the specific device being unlocked must be met. I'm sure there must be a way to skip this talking with someone over there but you have to get lucky. It's all explained here: http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588 . This applies to the Note 4 too.

bartolo5 said:
Just went through this with an iPhone.
Sadly, this is the current T-Mobile policy. Even if you pay full price for the phone you MUST have the phone in service in their network for 2 billing cycles or 40 days. Just then, and only then, they will unlock it. It doesn't matter if you've been with them for 8 years or 1 months, the 40 days of active service for the specific device being unlocked must be met. I'm sure there must be a way to skip this talking with someone over there but you have to get lucky. It's all explained here: http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588 . This applies to the Note 4 too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then can you explain how i got my note 3 unlocked in the first week and the imei not being registered on the network.
you have to have 40 days of active service, now with new policy, but that does not mean that specific phone. the imei just has to register on the network and have no EIP for it on your account.
and yes being with t-mobile longer makes a difference, at least for me it does when i call.
---------- Post added at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
inco9nito99 said:
I suppose my question to you guys simply, why? T-Mobile's outright purchased Note 4 can be used in say, India (can use t-mobile data/text while overseas). Are you saying that if the phone isn't 'unlocked' I cannot purchase a pre-paid SIM card from India and pop it in and it work? Is that why you guys are SIM unlocking? If I wanted to get mine SIM unlocked, will it affect anything with my use here in the states? Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to answer your question, freedom lol. but seriously if i am paying full price for a phone i should be able to do what i want with it and use it on whatever supporting carrier i want.
you could use that phone in india with a tmobile sim inside but thats roaming with free data and text.
however if you wanna put in a non tmobile sim in your phone, like a prepaid one from india like you said, your phone would need to be unlocked. you can of course buy an unlock code but i rather have tmobile do it for free since its a service they offer lol.

So with that said, there's ZERO harm in requesting a SIM unlock for my N910T for primarily use in the states and it's a nice feature to have implemented such that when I travel abroad, simply replacing my TMO SIM with an out-of-the-country pre-paid GSM SIM (so I can make calls/data/text) is simple as pull-out/push-in and VOILA?!?
kendonsh said:
then can you explain how i got my note 3 unlocked in the first week and the imei not being registered on the network.
you have to have 40 days of active service, now with new policy, but that does not mean that specific phone. the imei just has to register on the network and have no EIP for it on your account.
and yes being with t-mobile longer makes a difference, at least for me it does when i call.
---------- Post added at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
to answer your question, freedom lol. but seriously if i am paying full price for a phone i should be able to do what i want with it and use it on whatever supporting carrier i want.
you could use that phone in india with a tmobile sim inside but thats roaming with free data and text.
however if you wanna put in a non tmobile sim in your phone, like a prepaid one from india like you said, your phone would need to be unlocked. you can of course buy an unlock code but i rather have tmobile do it for free since its a service they offer lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

inco9nito99 said:
So with that said, there's ZERO harm in requesting a SIM unlock for my N910T for primarily use in the states and it's a nice feature to have implemented such that when I travel abroad, simply replacing my TMO SIM with an out-of-the-country pre-paid GSM SIM (so I can make calls/data/text) is simple as pull-out/push-in and VOILA?!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No harm, it would be the same as you buying an unlocked phone.
And I've heard some people say they get better roaming on AT&T or other carriers after, specially since we have free roaming but I haven't noticed if it has
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Got both my mom's and my note 4 unlocked from tmobile. Just had to pay 2 months of EIP.

noob question, what's EIP?

m3lover1 said:
Got both my mom's and my note 4 unlocked from tmobile. Just had to pay 2 months of EIP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, here. I did lose some time because the first CSR put in an unlock request for me without discussing any payment. The next morning I got a rejection from ARSystem Notify. I then called T-Mobile and asked for a supervisor. He wanted both two months of installment payments and two months of payments on the account as a whole. After I politely questioned why I should I have to pay in full for a five-member family plan, he settled for two months of EIP. After I paid, he read me the unlock code over the phone, which I also got in an email from T-Mobile.
Now all I need is a non-T-Mobile SIM. Sooner or later ...

inco9nito99 said:
noob question, what's EIP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Equipment installment plan

Anyone get their Note 4 unlocked and using it on something like Cricket? I'd like to know if the mobile hotspot app on the tmobile version will allow me to tether. Currently, I have an ATT Note 4 that I bought outright but ATT has locked down the hotspot app so even if I use it with another carrier it's trying to verify that I have a hotspot plan with ATT which obviously fails. And of course the ATT Note 4 doesn't have root yet. So I have no options. I'm coming from a Nexus 5 which was completely stock without carrier interference and this was simple. Hoping someone can help. Thanks in advance.

Asked tmobile on phone for unlock code for international use. They made me pay only one months of device payment which was 17.99. the next day received the email telling me the device has to be paid in full. Called again asked to talk to supervisor as soon as she came on the phone she said don't worry will unlock right now. I got my unlock code within 2 min.
Just ask to talk to manager guys and be nice and respectful say that is very important business travel and u need ur phone. 99.9% they will do it. Just don't complain or be rude. I guerantee u will get it

new sprint Essential phone already locked?

I ordered a new Essential ph-1 directly from Sprint. It arrived in shrink-wrapped box. Without turning it on, I pop-in a t-mobile sim card. Then I went through the setup using Wifi.
But then it showed "invalid sim card" on the front page of the phone.
Is the phone now come locked to Sprint, or setup using wifi is the problem? Do I have to choose using carrier data to setup to avoid it being locked?
Anyone experience the same issue?

brandedhome said:
I ordered a new Essential ph-1 directly from Sprint. It arrived in shrink-wrapped box. Without turning it on, I pop-in a t-mobile sim card. Then I went through the setup using Wifi.
But then it showed "invalid sim card" on the front page of the phone.
Is the phone now come locked to Sprint, or setup using wifi is the problem? Do I have to choose using carrier data to setup to avoid it being locked?
Anyone experience the same issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it comes locked from Sprint. It needs to be on Sprint network for 50 days for an unlock.

JoRocker said:
Yes it comes locked from Sprint. It needs to be on Sprint network for 50 days for an unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct. Any information you see about paying off the phone and leaving it on the Sprint network for a few days might not be relevant anymore either as Sprint stopped this after they closed their $5/month deal. Not sure how it works with new phones but that's last I heard.

JoRocker said:
Yes it comes locked from Sprint. It needs to be on Sprint network for 50 days for an unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw several threads that said if we put a non-sprint sim card in it first, it will be unlocked. Does that trick no longer work?

brandedhome said:
I saw several threads that said if we put a non-sprint sim card in it first, it will be unlocked. Does that trick no longer work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was with the early phones, it is no longer the case.

wolfhelm said:
That was with the early phones, it is no longer the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there anyway to unlock the phone?
The phone is on a lease plan (not paid-off), would I still be able to get it unlocked by Sprint?

brandedhome said:
Is there anyway to unlock the phone?
The phone is on a lease plan (not paid-off), would I still be able to get it unlocked by Sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, there is no other way around at the moment. I'm still waiting for my 50 days to end.

On the essential unlock: I got mine on 11/24. Wouldnt one think it would be unlocked on the 50th day- 1/12?
Sprint customer service is a little lacking in this area. I paid off iPhones leases on Monday of this week, called on Tuesday to unlock.
Said it would take 2 days. Called on Thursday because we hadn't heard anything. Rep said, "sir, they j-u-st unlocked."
Never got an email. Did get a text Saturday night at 6 pm, four days later.
Are unlocks automatic?
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

cfclay said:
On the essential unlock: I got mine on 11/24. Wouldnt one think it would be unlocked on the 50th day- 1/12?
Sprint customer service is a little lacking in this area. I paid off iPhones leases on Monday of this week, called on Tuesday to unlock.
Said it would take 2 days. Called on Thursday because we hadn't heard anything. Rep said, "sir, they j-u-st unlocked."
Never got an email. Did get a text Saturday night at 6 pm, four days later.
Are unlocks automatic?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocks happen automatically.
I was able to get in on the Sprint $5 lease deal, I paid it off the first day and after 3 days I checked the phone and it was unlocked. Although it was only for domestic Sim. I'm waiting to see how it works after my first month ends and I've cancelled my account.

cfclay said:
On the essential unlock: I got mine on 11/24. Wouldnt one think it would be unlocked on the 50th day- 1/12?
Sprint customer service is a little lacking in this area. I paid off iPhones leases on Monday of this week, called on Tuesday to unlock.
Said it would take 2 days. Called on Thursday because we hadn't heard anything. Rep said, "sir, they j-u-st unlocked."
Never got an email. Did get a text Saturday night at 6 pm, four days later.
Are unlocks automatic?
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was told that it's going to be unlocked automatically on the 51st day with a pop up message on your phone letting you know that your phone is now unlocked!
I'm a day behind you so let wait and see...

The phone is on a lease plan (not paid-off), would I still be able to get it unlocked by Sprint?
Sprint has changed its plan, so now it takes $699 to pay it off (even though it is $6/mo lease for 18months, it still takes $699 to pay it off), so it is not an option to pay it off. I am staying with Sprint service for a while (I have been using Sprint for like 10 years), but I really like my phone unlocked.

brandedhome said:
The phone is on a lease plan (not paid-off), would I still be able to get it unlocked by Sprint?
Sprint has changed its plan, so now it takes $699 to pay it off (even though it is $6/mo lease for 18months, it still takes $699 to pay it off), so it is not an option to pay it off. I am staying with Sprint service for a while (I have been using Sprint for like 10 years), but I really like my phone unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt Sprint will unlock it without it being paid off.
You'll probably have to wait out your lease program so you don't get hit with the big pay out fee for paying it off early.

NaterTots said:
I doubt Sprint will unlock it without it being paid off.
You'll probably have to wait out your lease program so you don't get hit with the big pay out fee for paying it off early.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know they wont
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Mine came Sprint sim locked out of the box
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs

avd said:
Mine came Sprint sim locked out of the box
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine too.
It also won't unlock right now.
I'm almost 30 days in, so no big deal.
Mine is paid off. Waiting for day 51 to cancel service.

I called on day 51 to get the phone unlocked domestically and internationally. They told me it would take 48 hours. That was on Saturday. The phone is still locked. It may take numerous calls and escalation in my case to get this to happen. The domestic unlock is handled differently and separately than the international unlock.

huzordaddy said:
I called on day 51 to get the phone unlocked domestically and internationally. They told me it would take 48 hours. That was on Saturday. The phone is still locked. It may take numerous calls and escalation in my case to get this to happen. The domestic unlock is handled differently and separately than the international unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I believe when they said 48 hrs or 2 business days so you probably have to wait until Wednesday.
Keep us posted. My 50 days is ending next week!

My 50th day is Friday. Sheez....I have to wait until Tuesday possibly (2 business days)?
Also; I am porting out to Cricket. Isn't there some monkey business where the phone has to be on the Sprint network to receive the unlock?
What happens to someone who leaves sprint on say day 45?! How do they get this unlocked?
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

cfclay said:
My 50th day is Friday. Sheez....I have to wait until Tuesday possibly (2 business days)?
Also; I am porting out to Cricket. Isn't there some monkey business where the phone has to be on the Sprint network to receive the unlock?
What happens to someone who leaves sprint on say day 45?! How do they get this unlocked?
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't leave on day 45.
They specifically state in the terms 50 days.

tech_head said:
Don't leave on day 45.
They specifically state in the terms 50 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very pissed at the customer services. Placed order on Dec 12, received phone on Dec. 21. Paid it off next day. Received bill today. Found out I have to pay the service between Dec12-21, when I was waiting for my phone. What company does that? Phone is not unlocked till today. How to account 50 days then? From Dec12 or Dec21?