Database Users

Unable to Activate Motorola Purchased Device on Sprint

Hey,
I think we all knew this was possible, but I am confirming that my Nexus 6 that was purchased directly from Motorola is not white listed for activation on Sprint.
I am trying to work with Sprint for a solution, and I will update if I find anything new.
FYI, the device is a Cloud White 32gb.

decke003 said:
Hey,
I think we all knew this was possible, but I am confirming that my Nexus 6 that was purchased directly from Motorola is not white listed for activation on Sprint.
I am trying to work with Sprint for a solution, and I will update if I find anything new.
FYI, the device is a Cloud White 32gb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, we already know that sprint white listed the phones and only activates one from GPS and their, but seeing that motorola its a manufacturer and not a carrier they should let you activate it. Keep us informed, hopefully they let you.

I received my 64GB blue version this morning from Moto. Ran into the same thing, even took it to a Sprint Corporate store. They told me I have to call motorola, I'm on the phone with Moto now.

Wow, how awful!

According to my dealing with customer service, Google Play devices and those purchased directly through Sprint are the only ones that will be eligible for activation.
I really try to stick up for Sprint most of the time.... but this is just brain dead stupid.

are you guys serious?? wow that means Verizon is going to give hell to activate these nexus 6. im on verizon.. still trying to order a 64gb from Moto.

Ok, so I have someone at Moto that is going to be reaching out to Sprint, he'll call me when he gets any updates.

seezar said:
Ok, so I have someone at Moto that is going to be reaching out to Sprint, he'll call me when he gets any updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crap. This BS needs to stop. I'm wondering how on Earth it can even be legal.

I remember last year it took a while for sprint to add the GPS 32gb nexus 5 IMEIs to their system. This might be a similar issue

Skripka said:
Crap. This BS needs to stop. I'm wondering how on Earth it can even be legal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because corporations run our country.

Luxferro said:
Because corporations run our country.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Motorola doesn't get Sprint to about face on this fast, I'm demanding that they cancel my order whether they claim to be able to or not.
Claiming their phone can be purchased through them and activated anywhere only for it not to be is false advertising.

Yeah it is very frustrating. But I did finally speak to someone at Moto that understood so I'm hopeful it'll get straightened out. Though it sucks that it really in Sprint's hands to get resolved and I hope they don't take very long.

edd247 said:
I remember last year it took a while for sprint to add the GPS 32gb nexus 5 IMEIs to their system. This might be a similar issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. This is hopefully the same issue. If this was a big restriction then I'm not sure why they were willing to send all of us SIM cards for the device.

decke003 said:
Hey,
I think we all knew this was possible, but I am confirming that my Nexus 6 that was purchased directly from Motorola is not white listed for activation on Sprint.
I am trying to work with Sprint for a solution, and I will update if I find anything new.
FYI, the device is a Cloud White 32gb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you trying to activate the phone with new service on Sprint or are you just not getting your current SIM to work?
With the Nexus 7 LTE, this happened last year at Verizon if you tried to add a new line. They didn't have the IMEIs in their system. But if you just slapped in a Verizon SIM, it worked just fine.

decke003 said:
According to my dealing with customer service, Google Play devices and those purchased directly through Sprint are the only ones that will be eligible for activation.
I really try to stick up for Sprint most of the time.... but this is just brain dead stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried contacting moto?

kellex said:
Are you trying to activate the phone with new service on Sprint or are you just not getting your current SIM to work?
With the Nexus 7 LTE, this happened last year at Verizon if you tried to add a new line. They didn't have the IMEIs in their system. But if you just slapped in a Verizon SIM, it worked just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is an existing line, but a new SIM (Old phone took a Micro SIM). It is my understanding that Sprint's system does not work that way, but I could be wrong.
seezar said:
Have you tried contacting moto?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not, though I will do so shortly.

So it sounds like the same problem we saw last year at Verizon. Sprint doesn't have the IMEIs yet. I bet if you chopped down your micro to a nano SIM size, stuck it in, it would work.

there is a VZW customer that recieved his order from Moto today and it worked... so VZW customers are okay it seems.

Skripka said:
If Motorola doesn't get Sprint to about face on this fast, I'm demanding that they cancel my order whether they claim to be able to or not.
Claiming their phone can be purchased through them and activated anywhere only for it not to be is false advertising.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
um, what? this is a crappy carrier issue, not a manufacturer issue. it's not false advertising, it's Sprint being a sh*tty company. if anything, you should look at cancelling your sprint service.

decke003 said:
It is an existing line, but a new SIM (Old phone took a Micro SIM). It is my understanding that Sprint's system does not work that way, but I could be wrong.
I have not, though I will do so shortly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it sounds like the same problem we saw last year at Verizon. Sprint doesn't have the IMEIs yet so they can't activate the phone with a new SIM. I bet if you chopped down your micro to a nano SIM size, stuck it in, it would work. Might be worth a try since you are going to lose that SIM anyway.

Sprint Unlocking?

So I purchased my phone from Sprint and would like to do the domestic unlock. I have read around that if you insert another carriers sim card before turning the phone on initially it will be unlocked. I unfortunately did not do this.
My question is, if I were to re-flash the stock firmware (whenever that releases) would I be able to insert another carrier's sim card and reproduce the initial out of the box unlock process?

Just take it to Sprint and have them unlock it for all carpets. As I understand it, they are required by law to do so if asked.

mrcooter said:
Just take it to Sprint and have them unlock it for all carpets. As I understand it, they are required by law to do so if asked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that I got the phone on the sprint lease and i'm paying it but would like to use it on a different carrier.

Droidz said:
The problem is that I got the phone on the sprint lease and i'm paying it but would like to use it on a different carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That shouldn't matter as long as you don't cancel your Sprint service, otherwise then of course they would bill you for the remainder of the phone. If you look on your about phone settings, there is an option for UICC unlock where you would update the PRL etc. They put in a code which then allows other SIMs and activations, but you could switch back and forth after that even. Leased or not they should unlock this for you no questions asked if requested.

mrcooter said:
That shouldn't matter as long as you don't cancel your Sprint service, otherwise then of course they would bill you for the remainder of the phone. If you look on your about phone settings, there is an option for UICC unlock where you would update the PRL etc. They put in a code which then allows other SIMs and activations, but you could switch back and forth after that even. Leased or not they should unlock this for you no questions asked if requested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is the UICC option? I remember seeing it when I was playing around with the phone but now I don't see it anymore?
I bought one off of craigslist, sprint "locked" I took a gamble thinking it would be able to be used on a different network. Unfortunately, I am unable to make it work with AT&T.
Anyone with ideas on how to unlock a sprint phone (clean IMEI) for AT&T?

PlasticsDoc said:
Where is the UICC option? I remember seeing it when I was playing around with the phone but now I don't see it anymore?
I bought one off of craigslist, sprint "locked" I took a gamble thinking it would be able to be used on a different network. Unfortunately, I am unable to make it work with AT&T.
Anyone with ideas on how to unlock a sprint phone (clean IMEI) for AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About phone / OMADM updates / UICC unlock
Sprint will either need to put in the code for you, or they will give you the code. Haven't looked into it much since I'm staying with Sprint. Even if they aren't your carrier, probably would still do it when asked. Just go to local store front and try.

mrcooter said:
About phone / OMADM updates / UICC unlock
Sprint will either need to put in the code for you, or they will give you the code. Haven't looked into it much since I'm staying with Sprint. Even if they aren't your carrier, probably would still do it when asked. Just go to local store front and try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank for your reply. Unfortunately, they won't unlock it. CSR said its common that people make fake accounts to get free phones and sell them. Is there any other possibilities?

PlasticsDoc said:
Thank for your reply. Unfortunately, they won't unlock it. CSR said its common that people make fake accounts to get free phones and sell them. Is there any other possibilities?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully someone else will know and comment. If it were me, I'd use the excuse of you travel and Sprint coverage isn't supported everywhere therefore you need to be able to swap SIMs. If it were me, I'd research the law requiring them to unlock it and see the best way getting this done, maybe a second tier rep over the phone would be another option to try, sometimes people in the store just say things thinking they know best. You could try a factory reset and put in the other SIM before 1st boot but not seeing that actually work in my opinion.

The only way I see working is flashing stock firmware and inserting another sim card at that point. A regular wipe wont work.
Also the international unlock doesn't allow it to work domestically, like with T-Mobile or Verizon.

Droidz said:
The only way I see working is flashing stock firmware and inserting another sim card at that point. A regular wipe wont work.
Also the international unlock doesn't allow it to work domestically, like with T-Mobile or Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still no way to flash stock firmware is there?

So if you purchase a phone direct from essential but put the Sprint sim in it the phone will be locked to Sprint?

Final-Mac said:
So if you purchase a phone direct from essential but put the Sprint sim in it the phone will be locked to Sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubt it.
Sprint locks the batch of phones they lease out. Just like anything you lease, it's not yours until you pay for it.

PlasticsDoc said:
Still no way to flash stock firmware is there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope, that's what I've been waiting for as well.

Droidz said:
nope, that's what I've been waiting for as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just flashed stock firmware (NMJ20D) over my sprint locked phone, still locked...

Only way Sprint will unlock the devices is after 50 days and it's paid off.
---------- Post added at 04:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:35 AM ----------
Sprint.com/unlock

There has to be a way to unlock the phone through software. If they come unlocked out of the box before being activated, then it must be some sort of software switch.
This means that there must be a way to get the phone back to its out of the box state and have it unlock.
If there is anybody who can chime in on this and let me know otherwise it would be very much appreciated.

networx2002 said:
Only way Sprint will unlock the devices is after 90 days and it's paid off.
---------- Post added at 04:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:35 AM ----------
Sprint.com/unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it's 50 days. The device needs to be active on the Sprint network for 50 days and also fully paid off. You can then request the unlock.
So if you got in on the Sprint flex lease deal and ended up with a Sprint locked phone, your options are:
1) Sell it as a Sprint locked device
2) Use it on Sprint for 50 days, then request the unlock
3) Keep haggling Sprint CS to try and get it unlocked before 50 days (some users have had success with this)

Sprint customer support says hell no. I spent all day trying. All DAY. I talked to over 12 reps with no solution

I originally have att... Went and signed up with Sprint to take advantage of their price... Paid my phone off... And got them to unlock it a day later... You do NOT need to have the phone on 50 day service to get it unlocked...
What I think may be happening with the different outcomes is how people talk to the support... I don't think it helps if you're aggressive or not friendly.... Or course, this is just my weak guess.... The support gave me no issues getting it unlocked but did ask if I was keeping the service still... Which I said yes, but to be honest, Sprint LTE is slow.... So now I dunno if I want to keep the service...

joewoo said:
I originally have att... Went and signed up with Sprint to take advantage of their price... Paid my phone off... And got them to unlock it a day later... You do NOT need to have the phone on 50 day service to get it unlocked...
What I think may be happening with the different outcomes is how people talk to the support... I don't think it helps if you're aggressive or not friendly.... Or course, this is just my weak guess.... The support gave me no issues getting it unlocked but did ask if I was keeping the service still... Which I said yes, but to be honest, Sprint LTE is slow.... So now I dunno if I want to keep the service...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have issues either. I had it unlocked within 12 hours of receiving the phone. I'm assertive and speak like I know the rules, because I do. But I ALWAYS say yes sir or no sir, please, thank you, and talk to them like they're actual human beings. I almost never have issues with customer service.

Sprint Essential Phone - Network outside US (Germany) ?

Hi together,
due to the great price for the phone via Sprint, there are several pretty cheap ones also on ebay. I want to use the phone only outside the US (Germany) - is there any problem when it is locked to Sprint? Few years ago i imported a Verizon Locked Photon Q, and as i remember it was fully usable outside the US.
The ebay listing also includes the IMEI of the phones, and when i check them, they are "Clean on Sprint". But does that mean that they are locked? And if so, can i somehow unlock the phone, when i am in Germany and not on a Sprint Network?
Sorry about the confusion, i dont really get you phone locking stuff in the US
Best regards and thank you so much in advance!

If the phone is truly still locked to Sprint, it probably won't work with any other SIM card (the phone will just report Invalid SIM). You could look at ting.com/byod and check the IMEI there to see if it reports clear GSM / CDMA capabilities. If that shows up OK, then it at least doesn't have any financial obligation, and it should work.
Are you sure the phones are still Sprint Locked? Or was the seller just indicating they were Sprint variant phones, and were unlocked?

kbonnel said:
If the phone is truly still locked to Sprint, it probably won't work with any other SIM card (the phone will just report Invalid SIM). You could look at ting.com/byod and check the IMEI there to see if it reports clear GSM / CDMA capabilities. If that shows up OK, then it at least doesn't have any financial obligation, and it should work.
Are you sure the phones are still Sprint Locked? Or was the seller just indicating they were Sprint variant phones, and were unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the fast reply :good:
- I checked multiple lisitings from this seller at ting.com/byod, and they all say its compatible with ting/gsm/cdma. So if i get this right, the phone itself should not be locked then, because its neither stolen nor in financial trouble?
- i dont know if i am able to post ebay links here, one of the lisitings from this seller is 332465030454 - the seller just says that the buyer itself should check the IMEI. But as i understood it, i cant check if the phone is net/simlocked to sprint, just if its "legal"..
regards

Kampfgans said:
Thank you so much for the fast reply :good:
- I checked multiple lisitings from this seller at ting.com/byod, and they all say its compatible with ting/gsm/cdma. So if i get this right, the phone itself should not be locked then, because its neither stolen nor in financial trouble?
- i dont know if i am able to post ebay links here, one of the lisitings from this seller is 332465030454 - the seller just says that the buyer itself should check the IMEI. But as i understood it, i cant check if the phone is net/simlocked to sprint, just if its "legal"..
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really wish I was able to give you a definitive answer, esp. since you are in Germany, as the return capabilities are a lot harder since it takes a while to ship back and forth. I was reviewing the company's website to see where they get their inventory, but couldn't really come up with a clear answer. They do indicate in the FAQ that they offer a service to test the ESN for a fee, but it doesn't go into much detail. Maybe give them a call, or send the seller a message on ebay to see if they are willing to pop in a non-sprint sim to verify it at least doesn't report back invalid - sim.

kbonnel said:
I really wish I was able to give you a definitive answer, esp. since you are in Germany, as the return capabilities are a lot harder since it takes a while to ship back and forth. I was reviewing the company's website to see where they get their inventory, but couldn't really come up with a clear answer. They do indicate in the FAQ that they offer a service to test the ESN for a fee, but it doesn't go into much detail. Maybe give them a call, or send the seller a message on ebay to see if they are willing to pop in a non-sprint sim to verify it at least doesn't report back invalid - sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to let you know about the outcome - they cannot guarantee that it is unlocked
Hopefully there will be another Amazon Deal or somebody doesnt need his F&F code

Kampfgans said:
Just to let you know about the outcome - they cannot guarantee that it is unlocked
Hopefully there will be another Amazon Deal or somebody doesnt need his F&F code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany

saschb2b said:
So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assume anything bought from Sprint that the seller can't verify was active on Sprint's network for 50 days as unusable.
Sprint will only generate ISU (international SIM Unlock) that is permanent after a device has been on the network for 50 days.
This policy is strictly enforced and even if the device is paid off, it does not matter.

Hello guys and happy new year.
I'm planning to buy the essential phone from ebay. I have found some quite interesting offers from sprint locked devices. My question is the device will work at cosmote greece?

„Invalid sim“
I bought an essential phone from USA a few days ago and it is sim locked for sprint and I have not found any way to make it simlock free.
It says invalid sim.
I can use it as an expensive MP3 player or camera or when using WiFi.
But not as a telephone.
I asked the seller for help. He said he would call sprint.
I was able to flash Oreo beta2 Android 8.
In fast boot mode the mobile said it was a sprint variant.
I guess only sprint can made it sim lock free with a code.
If there is no solution I will maybe have to send it back.
What a pity situation. Why is essential phone not selling the phone for Europe ?

That's what I was afraid about. Thought a proper rom flash could remove the lock. But it seems you can't do it yourself. Essential will bring it to Europe. But when is not sure.

saschb2b said:
So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As already mentioned above -the seller could not guarantee it to me that i will be able to use it.
Finally, i ended up ordering it directly from Essential. Have it since 2 weeks now, works great on Telekom!

Hi, I am in Ireland and got a PH-1 which was locked by Sprint but i contacted them and they told me they have unlocked it for me and i can use it in Ireland but i am actually not able to use it on any network here, it just says Invalid Sim every time i put the sim card in.
Can anyone help me please?

forget sprint in europe!
In Germany it does not work with "Sprint" Locked Essential Phone.

Sam.anas said:
Hi, I am in Ireland and got a PH-1 which was locked by Sprint but i contacted them and they told me they have unlocked it for me and i can use it in Ireland but i am actually not able to use it on any network here, it just says Invalid Sim every time i put the sim card in.
Can anyone help me please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to unlock it is with a Sprint SIM and they update the the phone or enter in a code.

Heloo i bought essential ph-1 amd it says invalid sim card. Im from georgia and want to work gsm carrier. Can i unlock the phone?

Unlock Sprint Version

Hi,
So a friend of mine is bringing the Essential Phone to India from the USA. It is a Sprint model. Can anyone help me and tell me how can I go about unlocking the device so that I can use it with Indian carriers?

zaydenQ said:
Hi,
So a friend of mine is bringing the Essential Phone to India from the USA. It is a Sprint model. Can anyone help me and tell me how can I go about unlocking the device so that I can use it with Indian carriers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have your friend from the USA stay on a sprint account for 50 days then he can call them to unlock it for international as long as it's paid in full.

Unlock sprint
Hey. Can somebody help me with the unlock my essential phone pH 1

I had to send mine back. They have two types of UICC unlocks. One of them in for carriers inside the USA only and the other is for international carriers. The problem is that the international unlock is temporary. Even if the phone is paid in full their systems are relocking lots of phones when used on international carriers using the essential on USA carriers seems to be fine. Mine was paid in full with sprint and was unlocked for 1 month when I called Sprint they said that the international UUIC unlock is temporary so I needed to request it again. I decided to return the phone and once I got the refund and I purchased one directly from essential and my problems were solved.

Sprint is a CDMA network, so you need to check a few things before actually using the phone outside Sprint network.
CDMA networks use network-based white lists to verify their subscribers. That means you can only switch CDMA phones with your carrier’s permission. Details: https://www.unlockunit.com/blog/cdma-networks/
However, you might be able to use your phone with a local Indian GSM network. You must make sure that your phone has also GSM capabilities. you can check this on https://www.gsmarena.com/
And you can check your network's bands here: https://www.frequencycheck.com/

Jahdiel2011 said:
I had to send mine back. They have two types of UICC unlocks. One of them in for carriers inside the USA only and the other is for international carriers. The problem is that the international unlock is temporary. Even if the phone is paid in full their systems are relocking lots of phones when used on international carriers using the essential on USA carriers seems to be fine. Mine was paid in full with sprint and was unlocked for 1 month when I called Sprint they said that the international UUIC unlock is temporary so I needed to request it again. I decided to return the phone and once I got the refund and I purchased one directly from essential and my problems were solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was your phone unlocked after 50 days with Sprint? I'm only keeping Sprint for 50 days to get them to do the international unlock. After that I will cancel. My phone was automatically unlocked for US sims after I paid off the lease and I'm using it with a T-mobile sim now. I noticed that the UICC menu is gone with my T-mobile sim in the phone. Do you know if the phone can be relocked for international sims even if it doesn't have a Sprint sim in the phone?

DrvLikHell said:
Was your phone unlocked after 50 days with Sprint? I'm only keeping Sprint for 50 days to get them to do the international unlock. After that I will cancel. My phone was automatically unlocked for US sims after I paid off the lease and I'm using it with a T-mobile sim now. I noticed that the UICC menu is gone with my T-mobile sim in the phone. Do you know if the phone can be relocked for international sims even if it doesn't have a Sprint sim in the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was paid in full and was unlocked both domestically and internationally. I was not 50 days with Sprint. Since I had to travel abroad I asked for the International unlock which they granted as I had already paid for the phone. I started using the phone in South America and around one month later I got the Invalid SimCard message. When I called they said that the UUIC international unlock is temporary so I need to call Sprint and request it again. The domestic unlock is permanent not the same for the international (It made no sense) I called again yesterday to get info on their policies again and now I got different info the phone was supposedly unlocked according to their systems.
Besides this I've got info from trusted sources saying that even devices purchased Unlocked from essential are being locked by sprint when inserting sprint sim cards so stay away from those sim cards.

unlocked then relocked
My phone was unlocked by Sprint shortly after I paid it off, about two days after I received it. I was able to insert a Vietnamese SIM card and download all the Essential security updates.
Then somehow it got relocked. called Sprint to asked them to unlock it internationally, as I actually do travel internationally for work quite a bit. They responded with an email refusing to unlock it until it had been on the network for 50 days.
I have had the last three phones on Sprint unlocked internationally with less trouble than this one.
I guess I'll try again when the 50 days are up.

Jahdiel2011 said:
Mine was paid in full and was unlocked both domestically and internationally. I was not 50 days with Sprint. Since I had to travel abroad I asked for the International unlock which they granted as I had already paid for the phone. I started using the phone in South America and around one month later I got the Invalid SimCard message. When I called they said that the UUIC international unlock is temporary so I need to call Sprint and request it again. The domestic unlock is permanent not the same for the international (It made no sense) I called again yesterday to get info on their policies again and now I got different info the phone was supposedly unlocked according to their systems.
Besides this I've got info from trusted sources saying that even devices purchased Unlocked from essential are being locked by sprint when inserting sprint sim cards so stay away from those sim cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that information. When you were in South America and got the invalid sim card message, were you on a non-US sim? Did you put the Sprint sim back in at any time before you got that message? I'm trying to figure out if they can relock the device without the Sprint sim card in it, because if so I'm not keeping this phone. I requested the international unlock on my phone as well, but they told me I had to wait until the phone was active for 50 days. They wouldn't budge on that at all. Maybe the 50 day policy is why yours got relocked?
huzordaddy said:
My phone was unlocked by Sprint shortly after I paid it off, about two days after I received it. I was able to insert a Vietnamese SIM card and download all the Essential security updates.
Then somehow it got relocked. called Sprint to asked them to unlock it internationally, as I actually do travel internationally for work quite a bit. They responded with an email refusing to unlock it until it had been on the network for 50 days.
I have had the last three phones on Sprint unlocked internationally with less trouble than this one.
I guess I'll try again when the 50 days are up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone was unlocked for domestic sims 48 hours after the lease was closed. US sims work in it now, but I put a European sim in it and it asked for an unlock code. Did your phone get relocked while it had the Vietnamese sim in it, or were you swapping between that and the Sprint sim?
Once my 50 days are up and I cancel Sprint, I really don't want to have a phone that can be randomly locked by a company that I no longer have any business with. If that's the case I'm going to get rid of this phone and go with another brand.

DrvLikHell said:
Thanks for that information. When you were in South America and got the invalid sim card message, were you on a non-US sim? Did you put the Sprint sim back in at any time before you got that message? I'm trying to figure out if they can relock the device without the Sprint sim card in it, because if so I'm not keeping this phone. I requested the international unlock on my phone as well, but they told me I had to wait until the phone was active for 50 days. They wouldn't budge on that at all. Maybe the 50 day policy is why yours got relocked?
My phone was unlocked for domestic sims 48 hours after the lease was closed. US sims work in it now, but I put a European sim in it and it asked for an unlock code. Did your phone get relocked while it had the Vietnamese sim in it, or were you swapping between that and the Sprint sim?
Once my 50 days are up and I cancel Sprint, I really don't want to have a phone that can be randomly locked by a company that I no longer have any business with. If that's the case I'm going to get rid of this phone and go with another brand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not even bring the Sprint Sim on my trip so I'd say Yes. They can relock it even with other sim card. I was using non US sims the whole time. I'm not sure if the issue is the 50 days policy but I did not want to have a phone I paid in full and cannot own as I should.

How can they lock the phone if it's not on their Network? Sounds like some funny business with firmware updates.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs

I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.

Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's locked to someone elses Sprint account, and it's not sim unlocked so you can't use it on a GSM service, the only option you have is to return it to the eBay seller. If the seller said it was unlocked or otherwise ready to be activated, that was incorrect and you can do an "Item not as described" type of return, stating that it is not able to be used and you'll get your money back. eBay offers very good protection for this sort of thing.
avd said:
How can they lock the phone if it's not on their Network? Sounds like some funny business with firmware updates.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
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I'd like to know the same thing. From what I've learned the sim lock is a single bit somewhere that's nearly impossible to change without an unlock code. And I've never heard of a phone relocking. I don't know how they're doing it with the Essential. The interesting thing is that when you put in a non-sprint sim, the phone will then update to a newer firmware because sprint is behind on theirs, but it can still relock with the newer firmware. Also, with a non-sprint sim the UICC menu disappears, but then it comes back when you put a sprint sim back in. I don't know what its deal is.
Just the fact that it's possible for sprint to relock a phone remotely is enough to steer me away from this phone. I can't be in a situation where I'm relying on my phone for communication in another country and then, oops, sprint decided to relock my phone and now I can't contact anyone. I've been in situations where that could be very dangerous. If I stay with the PH1, I'll sell my sprint phones and get one directly from the company. Otherwise, I'm already looking at other phones.

Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
File a claim.
Device different than specified.

So Far the PH-1 is a great option only if you buy it directly from essential and Never EVER put a Sprint Sim Card on it.

Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
File a claim with eBay, they'll get your money back!

I have found that a lot of eBay sellers just put "Check IMEI" in their listing, with no other claim to being locked/unlocked, etc. So that it then becomes the buyer's responsibility to throughly check it before they buy. I checked the IMEI on Ting's website and they said it was good to go (vs. a phone that I have with a Bad ESN that they knew about and would understandably not accept - and no this is not a post about Bad ESN so back off wolfdroids!) I didn't bother filing a claim though because it makes an excellent WiFi Smartphone.
Still, I hate Sprint. No nonsense "Account Number and PIN" or we're not going to help you. I wanted to see about paying off the lease myself. Nope! They don't want my money.

atrac88 said:
I have found that a lot of eBay sellers just put "Check IMEI" in their listing, with no other claim to being locked/unlocked, etc. So that it then becomes the buyer's responsibility to throughly check it before they buy. I checked the IMEI on Ting's website and they said it was good to go (vs. a phone that I have with a Bad ESN that they knew about and would understandably not accept - and no this is not a post about Bad ESN so back off wolfdroids!) I didn't bother filing a claim though because it makes an excellent WiFi Smartphone.
Still, I hate Sprint. No nonsense "Account Number and PIN" or we're not going to help you. I wanted to see about paying off the lease myself. Nope! They don't want my money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Find someone that has a Sprint account and see if they can add it on so you can pay it off and use it. It's too good of a phone to be stuck at home being used as a mini-tablet

@Jahdiel2011 About how long did your international sim unlock last before it relocked on you?

30 days or so

Invalid sim scam?

I purchased this phone through Craigslist. The guy stated it was unlocked so I thought great! Let's seal the deal. I popped my T-Mobile SIM in and like magic, it worked like a charm. Next day, invalid sim. I called Sprint, they said the phone is unlocked but no help. I called TMobile, they said it's not us it's Sprint. Popped the sim into my unlocked Pixel XL, boom! It worked. Popped it back into my Essential Phone and invalid sim, network locked. What gives? I call the guy back, straight to voicemail. I text him, it's been 10hrs nothing. Is it something going on with these phones that scammers are burning people with them?

LOVE ME PLEASE said:
I purchased this phone through Craigslist. The guy stated it was unlocked so I thought great! Let's seal the deal. I popped my T-Mobile SIM in and like magic, it worked like a charm. Next day, invalid sim. I called Sprint, they said the phone is unlocked but no help. I called TMobile, they said it's not us it's Sprint. Popped the sim into my unlocked Pixel XL, boom! It worked. Popped it back into my Essential Phone and invalid sim, network locked. What gives? I call the guy back, straight to voicemail. I text him, it's been 10hrs nothing. Is it something going on with these phones that scammers are burning people with them?
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Click to collapse
same thing happened to me until i updated the software. worked fine after that.

Did you get the latest update today? Because that's the build that I I'm having invalid sim on.
ceelos218 said:
same thing happened to me until i updated the software. worked fine after that.
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Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

LOVE ME PLEASE said:
Did you get the latest update today? Because that's the build that I I'm having invalid sim on.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
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ohh ok i see what your saying... when i first got my phone i was on Nougat and my sim wasnt recognized so i updated it to the Aug build and then i was able to use my Verizon sim again. right now i just updated to the Sep build and i cant use it any longer. im also wondering if theres a fix.

ceelos218 said:
ohh ok i see what your saying... when i first got my phone i was on Nougat and my sim wasnt recognized so i updated it to the Aug build and then i was able to use my Verizon sim again. right now i just updated to the Sep build and i cant use it any longer. im also wondering if theres a fix.
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Wow! So, it's not just me? Sad to here that my friend. I contacted Essential Phone via Twitter hours ago. Still no word.

LOVE ME PLEASE said:
Wow! So, it's not just me? Sad to here that my friend. I contacted Essential Phone via Twitter hours ago. Still no word.
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Yeah and I don't have time to mess around with it. Now I'm stuck without data

ceelos218 said:
Yeah and I don't have time to mess around with it. Now I'm stuck without data
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Same here! Are you able to make calls?

LOVE ME PLEASE said:
Same here! Are you able to make calls?
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I just tried it with a Sprint SIM card and it works perfectly fine.

Good to know. I just checked Twitter and now there are many of people complaining about this very issue.
ceelos218 said:
I just tried it with a Sprint SIM card and it works perfectly fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

LOVE ME PLEASE said:
I purchased this phone through Craigslist. The guy stated it was unlocked so I thought great! Let's seal the deal. I popped my T-Mobile SIM in and like magic, it worked like a charm. Next day, invalid sim. I called Sprint, they said the phone is unlocked but no help. I called TMobile, they said it's not us it's Sprint. Popped the sim into my unlocked Pixel XL, boom! It worked. Popped it back into my Essential Phone and invalid sim, network locked. What gives? I call the guy back, straight to voicemail. I text him, it's been 10hrs nothing. Is it something going on with these phones that scammers are burning people with them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was on the same situation last week but mines network locked while I flashing firmwares to get T-Mobile wifi calling working the Sprint Essential Variant. I tried everything including flashing the Nougat builds and then Oreo builds and all kinds of combinations but no luck. I was lucky because the guy I bought it from was honest seller and called Sprint and Essential himself negate Sprint kept saying it was unlocked. He ended up giving me his old SIM card since he had called his service. I inserted into my phone and let it sit for an hour while connected to WiFi. I restarted my phone I was able to go to mobile settings and changed to Global and it's been unlocked since last Thursday.
If you go to the Sprint website and dig around you'll see the only way for Sprint to unlock an Android phone is to have a Sprint Sim in the phone. Maybe you can get a Sprint Sim card just so it can connect to the servers and get it unlocked.
Good Luck
https://forum.xda-developers.com/es...print-version-unlocked-t-mobile-wifi-t3830989

mexicandroid said:
I was on the same situation last week but mines network locked while I flashing firmwares to get T-Mobile wifi calling working the Sprint Essential Variant. I tried everything including flashing the Nougat builds and then Oreo builds and all kinds of combinations but no luck. I was lucky because the guy I bought it from was honest seller and called Sprint and Essential himself negate Sprint kept saying it was unlocked. He ended up giving me his old SIM card since he had called his service. I inserted into my phone and let it sit for an hour while connected to WiFi. I restarted my phone I was able to go to mobile settings and changed to Global and it's been unlocked since last Thursday.
If you go to the Sprint website and dig around you'll see the only way for Sprint to unlock an Android phone is to have a Sprint Sim in the phone. Maybe you can get a Sprint Sim card just so it can connect to the servers and get it unlocked.
Good Luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your testimony. Wow! This is madness for an unlocked device. It almost seems as though Sprint is in on the scam themselves??? But thank you so much for your help friend. I'll check back in to let you guys know what happens??? I'm contacting Essential as we speak via support email... we'll see?

mexicandroid said:
I was on the same situation last week but mines network locked while I flashing firmwares to get T-Mobile wifi calling working the Sprint Essential Variant. I tried everything including flashing the Nougat builds and then Oreo builds and all kinds of combinations but no luck. I was lucky because the guy I bought it from was honest seller and called Sprint and Essential himself negate Sprint kept saying it was unlocked. He ended up giving me his old SIM card since he had called his service. I inserted into my phone and let it sit for an hour while connected to WiFi. I restarted my phone I was able to go to mobile settings and changed to Global and it's been unlocked since last Thursday.
If you go to the Sprint website and dig around you'll see the only way for Sprint to unlock an Android phone is to have a Sprint Sim in the phone. Maybe you can get a Sprint Sim card just so it can connect to the servers and get it unlocked.
Good Luck
https://forum.xda-developers.com/es...print-version-unlocked-t-mobile-wifi-t3830989
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Click to collapse
Was the sim he gave you to insert into your Essential, activated?

I have the same problem but im not in America, I'm in Australia and have no contact to a Sprint SIM Card....I've tried fastboot and flashing but still nothing. Any help would be great right now

LOVE ME PLEASE said:
Was the sim he gave you to insert into your Essential, activated?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It had his old number programmed into it but it didn't hey any service. Sprint's setup is different than T-Mobile because of the CDMA technology they use. It's not like T-Mobile that you just pop the Sim into another phone.
I honestly don't know if you can use any Sprint SIM card but you will definitely need one from my experience. The good news for you seems to be that it is most likely paid off if Sprint says it's unlocked.
---------- Post added at 11:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------
rainer217 said:
I have the same problem but im not in America, I'm in Australia and have no contact to a Sprint SIM Card....I've tried fastboot and flashing but still nothing. Any help would be great right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After the first time it Sim locked the phone I was able to unlock it ONCE by fishing different builds but I was trying to get TMobile WiFi calling working so I kept flashing thinking it was going to stay unlocked after but sure enough it locked again and I after that I could not get it unlocked. I tried flashing so many firmwares and then updates through OTA download through the app and side loading. See if maybe you can order one online from Sprint or maybe on eBay.

mexicandroid said:
See if maybe you can order one online from Sprint or maybe on eBay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I originally got it from eBay and just emailed the guy, hopefully he knows what to do. I was told by my carrier (Optus Australia) that they could do some shifty stuff with the OS to trick it to enable it then once an update happens it changes it back to locked. However don't think that is the case due to it being a wide spread case according to the people on twitter.

rainer217 said:
I originally got it from eBay and just emailed the guy, hopefully he knows what to do. I was told by my carrier (Optus Australia) that they could do some shifty stuff with the OS to trick it to enable it then once an update happens it changes it back to locked. However don't think that is the case due to it being a wide spread case according to the people on twitter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience the issue is with Sprint, Essential can't really do anything about it because of the Variant

mexicandroid said:
From my experience the issue is with Sprint, Essential can't really do anything about it because of the Variant
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Click to collapse
Great point. But I was thinking more along the side of Essential Phone, contacting Sprint, letting them know that it's a wide spread issue.

LOVE ME PLEASE said:
Great point. But I was thinking more along the side of Essential Phone, contacting Sprint, letting them know that it's a wide spread issue.
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Sprint knows by know, if you read around the web it's been going on for months. Seems the just expect you to have a Sprint Sim laying around to unlock it lol. After my unmoving experience I don't think I would ever get Sprint service lol

rainer217 said:
I originally got it from eBay and just emailed the guy, hopefully he knows what to do. I was told by my carrier (Optus Australia) that they could do some shifty stuff with the OS to trick it to enable it then once an update happens it changes it back to locked. However don't think that is the case due to it being a wide spread case according to the people on twitter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha!
Do you have a feeling that Sprint will fix this issue since it's widespread? I'm starting to think that Sprint was in on it. Or am I just an upset customer??? It's not happening to Sprint customers on there network, just people who are not on their network but have a Sprint variant. I have a strong feeling that Sprint locked us out of a unlocked phone intentionally. You?

mexicandroid said:
Sprint knows by know, if you read around the web it's been going on for months. Seems the just expect you to have a Sprint Sim laying around to unlock it lol. After my unmoving experience I don't think I would ever get Sprint service lol
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I agree. This is crazy, months??? Still no software fix??? I'm starting to believe it's a network fix only. They need to officially make an open statement regarding the situation, on how to resolve the matter. I think it's time to beat down Sprints Twitter page for a resolution.